BYU vs. Wyoming: Prediction, Preview, Spread and Betting Odds
Week 3 of the college football season is here. BYU plays Wyoming, and Heartland College Sports has your game prediction, preview, and betting odds ahead of the matchup.
GAME INFO
Saturday, Sept. 14; 8:00 p.m. (CT); War Memorial Stadium; Laramie, WY
TV: CBSSN
Records: BYU (2-0); Wyoming (0-2)
Last Week: BYU 18, SMU 15; Idaho 17, Wyoming 13
Series History: BYU leads, 46-30-3
Last Meeting: BYU 38, Wyoming 24 (2022)
Fun Fact: In a rivalry series that dates back to 1922, BYU is making its first trip to Laramie (WY) since the 2009 season for the 79th overall meeting between these programs. Wyoming is 17-16-3 all-time against the Cougars at home.
BYU vs. Wyoming Betting Lines and Odds
Opening Line: BYU (-11)
Over/Under: 40.5
Key Players
BYU Cougars
QB Jake Retzlaff
Last week against SMU, Cougars’ quarterback Jake Retzlaff didn’t exactly light up the stat sheet. He ended the night going 15-of-28 for 202 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions, adding 35 yards on ten carries. While it wasn’t the statistical performance that he’d hoped for and needs to clean up the turnovers desperately, it did feel like Retzlaff took a step in the right direction. On the road and against a good football team, Retzlaff did enough offensively to pay off the opportunities that his defense provided. Now, he needs to build on it.
LB Isaiah Glasker
There were several players that stood out for BYU defensively last week, but perhaps the most intriguing name that jumped off the screen was Isaiah Glasker. Standing at 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, Glasker seemed out of place at middle linebacker, that is, until I saw him move. Glasker covers ground very well for his size and presents a major issue for quarterbacks as he takes up so much space in the middle of the field. His first sack was what caught my eye, but his continually ability to be around the football is what kept my attention. He went down late in the SMU game, but if he’s able to get back on the field, he’ll be a player to watch.
Wyoming Cowboys
RB DJ Jones
With quarterback Evan Svoboda struggling mightily to begin the year (ranks 133rd in QBR through two games), it appears Wyoming’s offense will have to find success via the running game. The Cowboys’ leading rusher, DJ Jones, has logged 34 carries for 123 yards in the year but is coming off a nice 80-yard performance in last week’s loss. It’s been tough sledding for Wyoming’s offense, but they must find production somewhere.
DE Sabastian Harsh
Last week against Idaho, Wyoming defensive end Sabastian Harsh tied his career-high with 2.5 tackles for loss and added a sack for the Cowboys’ defense. The BYU offensive line held up pretty well against SMU this past weekend, allowing just one sack, but it will need to be consistent if Retzlaff is going to build off his performance. That will mean keeping guys like Harsh from getting things going.
KEY STORYLINES
BYU Cougars
Can BYU take care of business and win this game comfortably? Nothing about Wyoming’s first two games should scare BYU, but that’s exactly what worries me about this game. BYU has a chance to get to 3-0 before conference play begins, and that would set them up beautifully to make a run at a bowl game. But, they’ve just got to take care of business — something they they didn’t do a great job of last year.
Wyoming Cowboys
Can the Wyoming offense hit the reset button? The Cowboys’ offense has scored a grand total of 20 points in two games this season. That’s just not going to get it done. This week, they play a BYU team that’s coming off an impressive, gritty win over SMU on the road. It’s not exactly a get-right situation, especially after losing to Idaho at home last week. BYU’s offense isn’t a juggernaut, but Wyoming probably needs 20+ points to come out on top in this game. Can they get it done?
PREDICTION: BYU 28, Wyoming 13
BYU has a pretty tough slate ahead of it in Big 12 play, but there are winnable matchups on the schedule. Getting to 3-0 here is going to be very important for Kalani Sitake’s group, and I think they do take care of business on the road for the second week in a row before hosting K-State next weekend.
