Arizona State running back Cardae Mack scored all four touchdowns against Kansas State, and coach Kenny Dillingham may need another afternoon of such resourcefulness in Provo. Quarterback Mikey Keene remains questionable. Freshman backup Jake Fette completed three of six passes for 45 yards last week, leaving Dillingham with a terrific young runner and considerable uncertainty about who will throw beside him. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for today’s college football game between the BYU Cougars and the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
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BYU vs. Arizona State prediction, preview
Mack rushed for 159 yards on 26 carries, finishing touchdown possessions of 77, 55, 71 and 65 yards. Dillingham also put the former high school quarterback behind center for direct snaps, making excellent use of his quickness and balance through contact. BYU’s tackling at UCF gives Dillingham every reason to return to that work. The Cougars allowed 170 rushing yards and let the Knights convert nine of 16 third downs. Mack can make another missed tackle expensive.
BYU coach Kalani Sitake can complicate Fette’s recognition if Keene cannot play. Arizona State allowed Kansas State four sacks after conceding six at Texas Tech, and right guard Tana Alo-Tupuola is out. Dillingham liked Fette’s recognition in relief, while stressing how BYU can change their fronts and coverage responsibilities. The freshman may have to decipher those changes with rushers arriving through a weakened line. Even with Mack finishing so emphatically, Arizona State punted eight times against Kansas State.
Receiver Reed Harris can reward either passer who gets time. He caught six passes for 147 yards against Kansas State, including a 51-yard gain, and now faces BYU without cornerback Evan Johnson. The Cougars just allowed UCF to pass for 293 yards. Harris can punish another coverage lapse, but Arizona State’s line has to protect long enough for the quarterback to find him. Dillingham’s offense still risks stalling before Harris can help.
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier has already led touchdown drives from deep in his own territory. Wideout Kyler Kasper caught six passes for 129 yards at UCF, with receiver Legend Glasker scoring in overtime. Before losing in double overtime, Bachmeier led three regulation touchdown drives of at least 75 yards. Arizona State held Kansas State to 194 passing yards; Bachmeier can challenge them through Kasper and Glasker while threatening to finish drives on his own runs.
Arizona State vs. BYU pick, best bet
Sitake still lacks running back LJ Martin. Guard Kyle Sfarcioc is probable, but his replacement, guard Trevin Ostler, is out. Backup back Sione Moa scraped together 36 yards on 13 carries at UCF; fellow back Preston Rex is probable, with his workload uncertain. Bachmeier may again have to advance much of BYU’s offense himself if the handoffs falter.
I favor BYU’s established quarterback and receivers, especially if Fette has to start. But Mack and Harris can make Sitake work through those tackling and coverage problems all afternoon. I’ll take 16.5 with Arizona State, accepting the passing uncertainty against a favorite still struggling to defend entire possessions.
Best bet: Arizona State +16.5 (-112).
Projected score: BYU 31, Arizona State 20.
Best Bet: ASU +16.5 (-110) at BYU
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