NCAAF Matchups: The beginning of the end for Texas Longhorns head coach Mack Brown started last year when his team was rendered helpless and shredded mercilessly at BYU in a 40-21 loss to the Cougars that was even worse than the final score indicated as BYU ran for 550 yards on 72 carries and that cost Texas defensive coordinator Many Diaz his job following the humiliating defeat. Brown was out a few weeks later but now Texas is flexing a Strong pose with head coach Charlie Strong, a defensive mastermind and stern no-nonsense taskmaster.
This week is definitely “revenge week” in Austin, TX as the Texas Longhorns will host the BYU Cougars at Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday night with coverage on Fox Sports 1 starting at 7:30 PM ET.
Cougars Cover UConn
BYU had an impressive opening day win as they came away with the cash in a 35-10 win at Connecticut as 15.5 point road favorites outgaining UConn 513-355 in the process. What was most impressive in the win was the offensive balance as BYU ran for 205 yards and 5.5 yards per carry and QB Taysom Hill threw for 28 of 36 with 308 yards and 3 TDs.
Strong Start for Horns
Charlie Strong’s debut as Texas head coach was a smashing success as the Longhorns scored a 38-7 win and cover over North Texas as 20.5 point home favorites. Strong is known as a defensive guru and that was reflected on the field where Texas outgained UNT 353-94 in a suffocating effort. David Ash was so-so at QB passing for 19 of 34 with 190 yards and a touchdown. The offense is a work in progress as the ground game averaged just 4.1 yards per carry.
Matchup and Pick!
BYU has covered the spread in 12 out of their last 20 away games with just six out of their last 19 away games going over the total. Texas has split their last 20 home games against the spread with just five out of their last 16 home games going over the total. BYU has covered the spread in both of their previous meetings with Texas as the two teams have split the two games on the over under board. The cougars have the more complete team in our eyes and prove a major step up in level of competition from North Texas. BYU gets the call in this straight-up pick.
