We head out West for a late-night Saturday affair between two schools still searching for their first big win of the season when #19 Arizona State visits #23 BYU in what should be a great game. For the Sun Devils, two lackluster lay-up games have many questioning what they’re really made of, while BYU has mostly exceeded expectations thus far.
Let’s take a closer look.
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 | ARIZONA STATE | -3.5 -110 | O50.5 -110 | -175 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BYU | +3.5 -110 | U51 -110 | +155 |
In what will be the Sun Devils’ first test away from home this season, and the first game with fans since 2019, all eyes are on coach Herm Edwards and his sophomore quarterback Jayden Daniels. Through the first two games, Daniels has done more rushing (165 yards on 19 attempts) than quality passing, a stat line that will need to change to come out of Provo with a victory.
On the defensive side of the ball, while the secondary has been as advertised, sloppiness has been the main takeaway and a lack of solid tackling will need to be improved heading into this one.
For the 2-0 Cougars, an opening game squeak-by win over lowly Arizona had me pausing on what this team was capable of, but they quickly answered that question last week. In what was their first win over rival Utah in over 20 years, BYU looked like a complete team from top to bottom.
Led by quarterback Jaren Hall, who is stepping in with as many freshmen around him on both sides of the ball as any team in the country, this BYU team is searching for its third straight win over a PAC-12 opponent and first 3-0 start since 1952.
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As a Sun Devil alum and someone who has watched every game for the better part of a decade, this team just screams distracted. Despite being loaded from top to bottom with (on paper) the best talent they have potentially ever had, there’s been zero urgency thus far. Maybe it’s a matter of not wanting to put things on film for the rest of the PAC-12, but maybe not.
That question will be quickly answered Saturday night vs. an offense led by Hall (347 yards and five touchdowns thus far), who can get it done on the ground just like Daniels if not better.
Add in a back in Tyler Allgeier who has 196 yards through two games, and I lean BYU in this one.
The under, however, is where my money is going, as both teams rely on establishing their run games first and foremost, and secondaries that are above average should the other choose to throw.
Pick: Under 51
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