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The SMU Mustangs and the BYU Cougars play in the New Mexico Bowl. The matchup is at 7:30 PM ET on December 17, 2022, and airs on ABC.
The Cougars are underdogs, but by less than a field goal (+1.5), versus the Mustangs (with an over/under of 70.5 points).
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Game Info and Betting Lines for SMU vs. BYU
- Game Day: Saturday, December 17, 2022
- Game Time: 7:30 PM ET
- TV Channel: ABC
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mustangs | -1.5 | -110 | -112 | 70.5 | -109 | -112 | -119 | -102 |
SMU Betting Insights
- BYU has gone 4-8-0 ATS this season.
- BYU is 1-2 against the spread when an underdog by 1.5 points or more this season.
- Out of BYU’s 12 games with a set total, eight have hit the over (66.7%).
SMU Stats & Insights
- SMU has struggled defensively, ranking 14th-worst in the FBS (446.2 yards allowed per game) this season. However, the defense ranks 12th-best, yielding an average of 479.7 yards per game.
- While SMU ranks ninth-worst in the FBS in scoring defense with 34.7 points allowed per game, the team has been better with the ball, ranking 13th-best in the FBS in scoring (38.4 points per game).
- On the offensive side of the ball, SMU has been a top-25 unit in terms of passing yards, ranking sixth-best in the FBS by totaling 324.9 per game. The Mustangs rank 92nd on defense (242.8 passing yards allowed per game).
- SMU owns the 65th-ranked rushing offense this year (154.8 rushing yards per game), and has been less effective defensively, ranking 11th-worst with 203.3 rushing yards allowed per game.
- Offensively, SMU has been a top-25 unit in terms of third-down efficiency, ranking 17th-best in the FBS by averaging a 47.0% third-down conversion rate. The defense ranks 59th on defense (37.3% third-down percentage allowed).
- SMU has the 100th-ranked turnover margin in college football at -3, forcing 15 turnovers (71st in the FBS) while turning it over 18 times (86th in the FBS).
SMU’s Best Players
- Tanner Mordecai has 3,306 passing yards for SMU, completing 64.3% of his passes and throwing 31 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season. He’s also chipped in on the ground with 118 rushing yards (10.7 ypg) on 54 carries with two rushing touchdowns.
- Tyler Lavine has 551 rushing yards on 119 carries with nine touchdowns.
- Velton Gardner has been handed the ball 70 times this year and racked up 368 yards (46.0 per game) with one touchdown.
- Rashee Rice’s team-high 1,355 yards as a receiver have come on 96 catches (out of zero targets) with 10 touchdowns.
- Jordan Kerley has caught 31 passes for 538 yards (59.8 yards per game) and five touchdowns this year.
- Dylan Goffney has a total of 369 receiving yards so far this year, hauling in 18 passes and scoring two touchdowns.
- Nelson Paul has racked up five sacks to lead the team, while also recording nine TFL and 36 tackles.
- Jimmy Phillips Jr., SMU’s tackle leader, has 75 tackles, seven TFL, and one sack this year.
- Nick Roberts has picked off a team-high three passes. He also has 57 tackles, one TFL, and three passes defended to his name.
BYU Betting Insights
- BYU’s ATS record is 4-8-0 this season.
- BYU is 1-2 against the spread when an underdog by 1.5 points or more this season.
- In BYU’s 12 games with a set total, eight have hit the over (66.7%).
BYU Stats & Insights
- BYU ranks 33rd with 440.3 total yards per contest on offense, and it ranks 95th with 408.6 total yards allowed per game on the defensive side of the ball.
- BYU is accumulating 31.9 points per game on offense this season (40th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is giving up 30.0 points per contest (100th-ranked) on defense.
- BYU is posting 266.6 passing yards per contest on offense this season (31st-ranked). Meanwhile, it is surrendering 235.8 passing yards per contest (84th-ranked) on defense.
- BYU is compiling 173.7 rushing yards per contest on offense this season (50th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is giving up 172.8 rushing yards per contest (97th-ranked) on defense.
- BYU’s defense has been a bottom-25 unit on third down this season, allowing a 45.0% third-down conversion percentage, which ranks 13th-worst in the FBS. On offense, it ranks 26th with a 45.0% third-down rate.
- BYU has accumulated 11 forced turnovers (118th in the FBS) and committed nine turnovers (sixth in the FBS) this season for a +2 turnover margin that ranks 48th in the FBS.
BYU’s Best Players
- Jaren Hall has been a dual threat for BYU this season. He has 3,171 passing yards (264.3 per game) while completing 66% of his passes. He’s thrown 31 touchdown passes and six interceptions this season. On the ground, he’s compiled 346 yards (28.8 ypg) on 86 carries with three rushing touchdowns.
- Christopher Brown Jr. has rushed 111 times for 729 yards, with five touchdowns.
- Puka Nacua’s 625 receiving yards (69.4 yards per game) are best on his team. He has 48 receptions on zero targets with five touchdowns.
- Keanu Hill has put up a 572-yard season so far with seven touchdowns. He’s caught 36 passes on zero targets.
- Kody Epps has racked up 459 reciving yards (57.4 ypg) and six touchdowns this season.
- Lorenzo Fauatea has collected two sacks to lead 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 a team-high three interceptions to go along with 49 tackles, two TFL, and one sack.
