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Bowl Game Free Pick : Las Vegas with BYU and Utah
HRWager’s Bowl Game Free Pick features two 9-3 teams that square off on the opening day of the post season on 12/19. Utah had some national aspiration hopes but stumbled down the stretch going 3-3. BYU will be saying goodbye to one of their better coaches in Bronco Mendenhall. With the Cougars being two and a half point underdogs, can they send their leader out with a victory on Saturday?
Utah’s Bowl Pedigree
Whittingham has so far made the post season meaningful for the Ute program. 8-1 is a testimony to over achievement. However, will his team be interested in this lowly game after reaching #3 in the land? This being the Holy War does help. Both teams will travel well and provide riveting television. Normally the intangibles would go the way to Utah but BYU is going to be so up for this game that the Cougars have the edge in that department.
Offenses
BYU will have an easier time scoring. Not because they have an elite offense but because Utah is anemic. Their star running back went down and this team never recovered. With more of the offense placed on their quarterback’s arm, he answered with a plethora of picks to derail this team. Also Utah really sees a drop off away from home. Finally, the loss to Arizona borders on the unforgivable to an “elite” team.
Magnum’s arm for BYU is the difference maker in this one. Wrong team is favored and only got the nod from the linesmakers because of their coach’s renowned bowl record. BYU can stuff the defensive line and still cover the vertical passing game. Too much onus on Utah having to play better to tread water. Take the BYU Cougars plus the points for your free pick of the day here at the HRW.
