Louisiana Tech vs BYU Picks and Odds

• The 2-0 BYU Cougars are 23.5-point favorites over the 2-0 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in a Week 5 matchup slated for a Friday, Oct. 2 kickoff at 9 p.m. ET in Provo
• No. 22 BYU has been dominant on both sides of the ball through the first two games , featuring the No.2 scoring offense and No. 2 scoring defense in FBS
• Find the odds, a breakdown of the matchup and a pick for the game in the article below

The undefeated and 22nd-ranked BYU Cougars host the also unbeaten Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in Provo, Utah Friday, Oct. 2 at 9 p.m. ET.

The Cougars opened as 23.5-point favorites and that line has held so far heading into kickoff at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

BYU completely dominated Navy and Troy in its first two games, while the Bulldogs  have also looked good so far this season in wins over Southern Mississippi and Houston Baptist.

Louisiana Tech vs BYU Week 5 Odds

Odds taken Sept. 30th from FanDuel

BYU is fourth in the nation with 622 total yards per game, while checking in at second in the country with 51.5 points per game. Defensively, the Cougars are best in the land with 165 total yards allowed and 96 yards passing allowed per game.

https://twitter.com/BYUfootball/status/1310367975795355649

Skip Holtz’s group has been solid so far in 2020. The Bulldogs went into Hattiesburg as a touchdown underdog in Week 3 and knocked off the Golden Eagles ,31-30. Then, Louisiana Tech walloped FCS opponent Houston Baptist 66-38 last week, hitting the over for the second time in as many games.

So, what’s the best bet for this one? Let’s break down the Louisiana Tech vs BYU odds and make a pick.

Program Building

While it’s unlikely BYU would be undefeated if it were playing their original September schedule, the storied independent program has been a revelation so far. Also, keep in mind the Cougars’ Sept. 19 game against Army had to be postponed due some BYU players testing positive for the coronavirus.

All that aside, this is the best group of talent fifth-year coach Kalani Sitake has assembled in Provo.

The defensive effort Sitake’s group has shown in their first two games is truly impressive. Sure, Navy and Troy aren’t Clemson and Alabama. But if you’re holding opponents well under 200 yards of offense and 100 passing, you’re doing something right.

This is also without hybrid LB/DB Chaz Ah You for one of those games – arguably one of the best players on the team.

Ah You underwent surgery on a preexisting injury on his lower leg following a two tackle/one sack performance against the Midshipmen. BYU’s depth appears to be a tall order for Louisiana Tech to overcome.

Zach Attack

Another big factor in BYU’s big start is quarterback Zach Wilson. He’s tossed for 624 yards passing with four touchdowns and just one interception in two outings while also rushing for a pair of scores.

Wilson is also getting some national attention after being mentioned by longtime college football writer Pat Forde as a legit Heisman Trophy candidate.

Try these numbers on for size: Wilson is averaging more than Heisman favorite and Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s 11.04 yards per play, checking in at 11.31. And his 78.3% accuracy rate is well ahead of Steve Young’s single-season school record of 71.3.

How the Bulldogs keep him in check will be interesting.

Over It

With BYU rolling and Louisiana Tech possessing a more-than-decent offense of its own, the over is the bet I like in this spot.

Quarterback Luke Anthony leads an offense that is putting up 48.5 points per game, good for sixth-best in the country. Anthony is 30-of-51 passing for 463 yards with eight touchdowns and one interception in two games.

The Bulldogs feature a stable of running backs led by Justin Henderson (29 carries, 146 yards plus a score) that also includes Israel Tucker (20 carries, 128 yards) and Greg Garner (13 carries, 60 yards, TD).

The spread is a big one. The Bulldogs might be able to hang. But when teams are scoring touchdowns rather than field goals – like both the Cougars and Bulldogs are – over the total is the play.

Pick: Over 59.5 (-105)