Arkansas Razorbacks vs. BYU Cougars Predicted Point Spread Winner

Arkansas Razorbacks (3-3 SU, 2-4 ATS) vs. BYU Cougars (4-2 SU, 2-4 ATS)

College Football Week 7

Date and Time: Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 3:30PM EDT

Where: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, Utah

TV: ESPN

Point Spread: ARK -1.5/BYU +1.5 (Bovada – Get a 50% bonus, rebates on ALL your bets, online poker, a huge wagering menu including TONS of props and FAST crypto payouts here!)

Over/Under Total: 63

The Arkansas Razorbacks come to Provo to take on the BYU Cougars on Saturday. On the surface it seems odd to say “the Razorbacks are coming to Provo,” and it is their first-ever season meeting. The Cougars gave it a good go on Saturday, but lost to Notre Dame, 28-20, as they fell to 4-2 in what has already been an eventful season. They now host Arkansas in what is a really random out-of-the-blue matchup at LeVell Edwards Stadium. The Razorbacks lost to Mississippi State on Saturday, 40-17, and after a 3-0 start, things have started going sideways for Arkansas. Which team can get back on the winning track this Saturday in Provo?

Good Spot for a Cougars Rebound?

There was a little optimism after Arkansas beat Cincinnati and South Carolina, but it’s gone really sour the past month. The defense has really regressed the past few weeks, with the offense being taken out of character and getting diminishing returns. Then again, there are a lot of teams that would look dicey against the top echelon teams from the SEC. So their recent failings need to be graded on a sliding scale. Still, after sponging two massive beatings, coming to the foreign soil of Provo might not be the best setting for a Razorbacks bounce-back. It’s still worth noting that what doesn’t work against Alabama might in fact work against BYU.

Against the Fighting Irish on Saturday, the Cougars gave it a little go in the second half with two touchdowns narrowing it to 25-20, but in the end the Cougars couldn’t generate enough big plays on offense, even if their “D” did a pretty good job in limiting Notre Dame’s scoring on the day. It was still a more-competent performance than what we saw in their only other loss against Oregon. But in understated wins as big favorites against Utah State and Wyoming along with the loss to Notre Dame, the last month or so has seen the Cougars cool down some after a hot start.

There have been a few spots this season where we see BYU quarterback Jaren Hall and this offense not push the issue when they’re not being threatened. They can come out of the gate slow and then turn it up later in the game—all things that can be tough to watch when you’re laying points. They don’t have that problem this week. And with Arkansas on the skids and dealing with some personnel issues, this doesn’t shake out as a bad bounce-back spot for the Cougars.

Help on the Way for Arkansas?

After watching their offense flounder around some last week against Mississippi State, the Razorbacks might get quarterback KJ Jefferson back this week. It seemed Jefferson was helping take this offense to another level with his efficient throwing and the nice use of his quick feet. As of press time, his status isn’t known, so it’s worth watching leading up to game-time. He’s certainly more adept at bringing more out of an offense that has some weapons. With some useful talent in the receiving corps, we’ve seen Jefferson operate cleanly, while relying on a run-game he contributes to, along with a good back in Raheim Sanders, who has nearly 700 yards and can be useful catching passes, as well.

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Issues this Week for Arkansas

They wield a strong run game that could help their defense stay off the field, which would be desirable because they might not match up all that well. Between Keanu Hill, Kody Epps, and others, Hall has targets he can exploit against an Arkansas pass-defense that is just out there grabbing. I suppose one wants to make the allowance for this Arkansas secondary suffering against the likes of Alabama versus what a BYU aerial attack can throw at them, but that’s not the only passing-attack where they came up short. And as we add extra credit to Arkansas for playing SEC teams, let’s not forget that the Cougars have faced three good teams this season—just as many as the Razorbacks have.

It’s not that the Razorbacks’ defense is all bad news. Drew Sanders can get after the quarterback, while Dwight McGlothern is a nice little ball-hawk back there, but the bright spots this season have been few and the troubling sequences many. There are stretches of games where opposing offenses are operating with impunity. They can be exploited on the ground, not a good thing when your pass-defense is as laughable as it is. Now in a really out-of-the-way setting, what is this Arkansas group going to provide this week?

Take the Home Team

There is understandable sentiment that BYU has hit a little bit of a wall this season. They’ve lacked a certain amount of effervescence the last handful of weeks in losing and even in victory. I just don’t see this as being a good spot for a sliding Arkansas squad whose defense has bottomed out, as they also deal with the iffy status of their QB, going against an aggressive home BYU defense. I see the Cougars having a good chance to win this at home. I’ll take Brigham Young.

Loot’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: I’m betting on the BYU Cougars plus 1.5 points. Question: Did you know that you could be betting on games at -105 odds instead of -110? Find this beautiful money saving offer at BetAnySports!