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The BYU Cougars and the SMU Mustangs play in the New Mexico Bowl on December 17, 2022, with kickoff at 2:15 PM ET, airing on ESPN.
The Mustangs are underdogs, but by less than a field goal (+1.5), against the Cougars (with an over/under of 74 points).
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Game Info and Betting Lines for BYU vs. SMU
- Game Day: Saturday, December 17, 2022
- Game Time: 2:15 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Stadium: Dreamstyle Stadium
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cougars | -1.5 | -110 | -110 | 74 | -110 | -110 | N/A | N/A |
BYU Betting Insights
- SMU’s ATS record is 5-7-0 this year.
- SMU has a 1-4 record against the spread when an underdog by 1.5 points or more this season.
- The teams have hit the over in five of SMU’s 12 games with a set total.
BYU Stats & Insights
- BYU ranks 33rd in total offense (440.3 yards per game) and 95th in total defense (408.6 yards allowed per game) this season.
- BYU is putting up 31.9 points per game on offense (40th in the FBS), and ranks 100th defensively with 30.0 points allowed per game.
- BYU ranks 31st in pass offense (266.6 passing yards per game) and 84th in pass defense (235.8 passing yards allowed per game) this season.
- BYU ranks 50th in run offense (173.7 rushing yards per game) and 97th in run defense (172.8 rushing yards allowed per game) this season.
- Despite sporting a bottom-25 defense on third down that ranks 13th-worst in the FBS (45.0% third-down percentage), BYU has played better on offense, ranking 26th in the FBS by posting a 45.5% third-down conversion rate.
- BYU ranks 48th in college football with a +2 turnover margin after forcing 11 turnovers (118th in the FBS) and committing nine (sixth in the FBS).
BYU’s Best Players
- Jaren Hall has been a dual threat for BYU so far this season. He has 3,171 passing yards, completing 66% of his passes and tossing 31 touchdown passes and six interceptions this season. He’s rushed for 346 yards (28.8 ypg) on 86 carries with three rushing touchdowns.
- Christopher Brown Jr. has 729 rushing yards on 111 carries with five touchdowns.
- Puka Nacua’s leads his squad with 625 yards as a receiver. He’s racked up that yardage on 48 catches (out of zero targets) and scored five touchdowns.
- Keanu Hill has caught 36 passes for 572 yards (47.7 yards per game) and seven touchdowns this year.
- Kody Epps has compiled 39 grabs for 459 yards, an average of 57.4 yards per game. He’s scored six times as a receiver this season.
- Lorenzo Fauatea has racked up two sacks to pace the team, while also picking up four TFL and 19 tackles.
- Ben Bywater, BYU’s tackle leader, has 80 tackles, two TFL, one sack, and two interceptions this year.
- Max Tooley has picked off a team-leading three passes. He also has 49 tackles, two TFL, and one sack to his name.
SMU Betting Insights
- SMU’s ATS record is 5-7-0 this season.
- SMU is 1-4 against the spread when an underdog by 1.5 points or more this season.
- Five of SMU’s 12 games with a set total have hit the over (41.7%).
SMU Stats & Insights
- While SMU’s defense has had trouble stopping opposing offenses, ranking 14th-worst by surrendering 446.2 total yards per game, its offense ranks 12th-best with 479.7 total yards per contest.
- While SMU’s defense has been sputtering, ranking ninth-worst by surrendering 34.7 points per game, its offense ranks 13th-best with 38.4 points per contest.
- SMU’s pass defense ranks 92nd in the FBS with 242.8 passing yards allowed per contest, but it has been lifted up by its offense, which ranks sixth-best by compiling 324.9 passing yards per contest.
- SMU has been struggling to stop the run, ranking 11th-worst with 203.3 rushing yards given up per game. It has been more productive offensively, putting up 154.8 rushing yards per contest (65th-ranked).
- SMU’s third-down offense has been paving the way for the team, as it ranks 17th-best in the FBS with a 47.0% third-down conversion percentage. In terms of defense, it is giving up a 37.3% third-down rate, which ranks 59th.
- At -3, SMU sports the 100th-ranked turnover margin in the FBS, with 15 forced turnovers (71st in the FBS) and 18 turnovers committed (86th in the FBS).
SMU’s Best Players
- Tanner Mordecai leads SMU with 3,306 yards on 261-of-406 passing with 31 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions this season. He has chipped in with 118 rushing yards (10.7 ypg) on 54 carries while scoring two touchdowns on the ground.
- Tyler Lavine has run for 551 yards on 119 carries so far this year while scoring nine times on the ground.
- Velton Gardner has racked up 368 yards (on 70 attempts) with one touchdown.
- Rashee Rice’s 1,355 receiving yards (112.9 yards per game) are best on his team. He has 96 receptions on zero targets with 10 touchdowns.
- Jordan Kerley has put up a 538-yard season so far with five touchdowns. He’s caught 31 passes on zero targets.
- Dylan Goffney’s 18 receptions (on zero targets) have netted him 369 yards (41.0 ypg) and two touchdowns.
- Nelson Paul has five sacks to pace the team, and also has nine TFL and 36 tackles.
- SMU’s top-tackler, Jimmy Phillips Jr., has 75 tackles, seven TFL, and one sack this year.
- Nick Roberts has a team-high three interceptions to go along with 57 tackles, one TFL, and three passes defended.
