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BYU vs UAB Odds and Predictions – Best Bets for Independence Bowl

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in College Football

Updated Dec 16, 2021 · 6:00 AM PST

Tyler Allgeier takes a selfie
BYU running back Tyler Allgeier (25) takes a selfie with fans after beating Southern California 35-31 in an NCAA college football game in Los Angeles, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
  • #13 BYU is a 7-point favorite over UAB on Saturday (December 18th, 3:30 pm ET) in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium, in Shreveport, LA
  • The Cougars finished the season on a five-game winning streak, but covered the spread just twice during that stretch
  • Read below for odds, analysis and a betting prediction

It’s not the high profile Bowl Game BYU was hoping for, but it will have to do. The #13 ranked Cougars will face UAB in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on Saturday (December 18th), looking to cap off back-to-back 11-win seasons for the first time since 2006-07.

UAB vs #13 BYU Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
UAB Blazers +220 +7 (-120) O 54.5 (-115)
BYU Cougars -275 -7 (+100) U 54.5 (-105)

Odds as of Dec. 15th at DraftKings.

BYU is currently a 7-point favorite, in a game that features a total of 54.5. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 pm ET at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana, with ABC providing the coverage. The forecast as of Tuesday night looks dicey, with a 90% chance of rain at game time, and 14 mph winds.

BYU Cougars Betting Analysis

The Cougars lack of a high profile Bowl Game appearance is not a reflection of how they performed this season. They won 10-games for the second straight campaign, and went 5-0 against Pac-12 opponents. That record includes a victory over Pac-12 champ Utah back in September.

YouTube video

They finished with the second best record among Independent programs, and dating back to the start of last season, have won more games than every college football program outside of #1 Alabama and #4 Cincinnati.

Head coach Kalani Sitake deserves a lot of credit for that and he was handsomely rewarded earlier this month. Sitake signed what is being called an unprecedented new contract to stay with BYU through the 2027 season.

https://twitter.com/BYUfootball/status/1469414994919841794

The Cougars strength is on offense where they scored more than 31 points per game, while racking up 448 total yards per contest. They rank 30th in points per play, sixth in yards per play, and only eight teams committed fewer turnovers.

Running back Tyler Allgeier finished tied for the most rushing touchdowns in the country with 20, while running for the eighth most yards (1,409). QB Jaren Hall meanwhile, is also fresh off a sensational season. The sophomore threw for 2,583 yards and 20 TD, while posting a 155.4 passer rating.

On the other side of the ball, they’re far from an elite unit. BYU allowed 25.2 points, and 399.8 yards per contest, and coughed up 31 or more points three times over its final six outings.

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UAB Blazers Betting Analysis

As for UAB, this will be just the fifth Bowl Game in school history. The Blazers lone Bowl victory came in 2018, when they routed Northern Illinois in the Boca Raton Bowl.

UAB closed out the season with three wins in its final four outings, en route to a second place finish in the Conference USA West division. Their lone loss during that stretch came to eventual conference champ UTSA 34-31, who ranks 24th in the AP-polls.

The Blazers aren’t as potent offensively as the Cougars, but they rank higher in most key defensive categories. They boast the 11th best rushing defense in the country, and limit opposing offenses to 24.9 points per game. UAB posted two shutouts this season, held five opponents below 15 points, and ranked 14th in yards per play allowed.

Offensively, they rank 52nd in points per game (29.3), but finished inside the top-44 in both points and yards per play. QB Dylan Hopkins threw for a career high 2,085 yards and 15 TD, while running back DeWayne McBride eclipsed 1,100 rushing yards and scored 12 times.

UAB vs BYU Pick

BYU is going to be looking to make a statement after they were snubbed for a New Year’s Six game, but this isn’t a program that is known for blowing teams out. The Cougars were 2-4 against the spread this season as a touchdown or more favorite, failing to beat the number in that exact situation in their final two games.

Their defense if far from impenetrable, while their offense could struggle more that most people would expect versus a very good UAB defense.

As for the Blazers, they’ve been cover machines all season. They’re 8-4 overall against the spread, and have covered in three of four games as an underdog.

Pick: UAB Blazers +7 (-120) 

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