The BYU Cougars (4-3) and the Liberty Flames (6-1) play Saturday at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Va. Kickoff for this non-conference tilt is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the BYU vs. Liberty odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Cougars opened the season 4-1, but they have lost back-to-back games to Notre Dame in Las Vegas (28-20 Oct. 8) and at home to Arkansas (52-35 Oc.t 15). BYU failed to cover the spread in its past 5 games after opening 2-0 against the spread (ATS). The Over is 4-1 in the past 5 games.
The Flames are nearly unbeaten, with the lone exception a 37-36 loss at then-No. 18 and now-No. 13 Wake Forest Sept. 17. They were fortunate to win last week, defeating Gardner-Webb of the FCS 21-20 in a nearly disastrous setback at home. Liberty has allowed 20 or more points in 3 straight games, and it has failed to cover the past 2.
Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY sports.
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BYU at Liberty odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:23 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): BYU -280 (bet $280 to win $100) | Liberty +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
- Against the spread: BYU -6.5 (-122) | Liberty +6.5 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 57.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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BYU at Liberty picks and predictions
Prediction
BYU 30, Liberty 26
Moneyline
BYU (-280) will set you back nearly 3 times your potential return, and that’s a risky proposition, especially for a road team.
AVOID.
Against the spread
LIBERTY +6.5 (-102) is a decent play at home as it is likely the Flames were simply looking ahead to this important matchup in last weekend’s near-debacle against Gardner-Webb.
In addition, BYU has failed to cover 5 straight games, while going 1-6 ATS in the past 7 on the road. Liberty is 9-4 ATS in the past 13 games against winning teams, while cashing in 10 of the past 14 outings at home.
Over/Under
UNDER 57.5 (-105) is the lean, but go lightly.
The Under has hit in 5 of the past 6 against fellow independents for BYU, while the Under is 4-1 in the past 5 home games for Liberty, including each of the 3 home games so far this season.
Defense isn’t a hallmark for either of these teams, but we should see the Under cash in this one.
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