We lost another one as Texas State appears to have made some drastic improvements from last season, but we are onto our Labor Day contest with the BYU Cougars and the Navy Midshipmen facing off. We’ll try to nail this nonconference matchup with another breakdown of the best prospects and a breakdown of the betting odds.
Top Prospects:
Matt Bushman, TE, BYU, 6-5, 240 pounds, Sr.: Unfortunately we will not get to see Bushman play as he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury last week, but he is still a prospect to remember. He is one of the best tight ends in the school’s history with three years of starting experience under his belt. Bushman would have been an early draft pick had he decided to declare last year. He was on track to demolish multiple school records before the injury, but his impressive career stat line of 125 receptions for 1,719 yards and nine touchdowns should warrant attention.
Brady Christensen, OT, BYU, 6-6, 300 pounds, Jr.: Only a junior and unlikely to declare, but Christensen is an excellent tackle who is a dark-horse Outland Trophy candidate. He’s already got an impressive 26 starts under his belt.
Khyiris Tonga, DT, BYU, 6-4, 321 pounds, Sr.: A playmaker at nose tackle for the Cougars, Tonga is a physical run-stuffer that will have plenty of opportunities to shine against a triple-option attack. He was another player that would have gotten some early-round attention has he declared, but if he wants to see his stock soar, his effectiveness as a pass rusher must show.
Betting Line: BYU -1.5 Navy
This was a much harder bet to make with Bushman being out, but that’s also why the line is so low. Even with the Bushman injury, this offense has a competitive experienced quarterback and an extremely impressive offensive line that has a ton of experience as well. This is a team that can be explosive and move the ball.
Navy should be coming back down to reality after completing one of the most impressive turnarounds in college football history going from 3-10 in 2018 to 10-2 in 2019, but the biggest reason for that turnaround was Malcolm Perry. Perry is gone now and he was one of the best ever to run that offense. The drop off from him is unknown, but I would be willing to bet its fairly dramatic. Prediction: BYU -1.5