Tag: BYU

College Football bettors got absolutely crushed in Week 2 as upsets and chaos reigned

Let us never speak of Week 2 ever again.

If you woke up on Saturday thinking Week 2 of the college football season wasn’t going to be anything special, shame on you.

If you woke up and hammered all the favorites—and let’s be honest, many of us did—you’re most likely already feeling that shame.

What was supposed to be a week of cupcake games for many of the elite programs in the country was anything but for bettors as multiple Top 25 teams failed to cover. A few even lost outright in incredibly shocking fashion.

No one was prepared to go to bed on Saturday night in a world where Kansas is 2-0 and No. 8 Notre Dame is 0-2. It’s officially been deemed a Blood Week. One that has sportsbooks cackling and the rest of the public grieving.

Let’s run through some of the abhorrent madness together.

When the entire world was backing Alabama (-20.5) in both the first half and to cover the spread, the Crimson Tide somehow just barely escaped Texas with a one-point victory.

No. 15 Miami (FL) saw 77 percent of all bets and 81 percent of the money wagered on the Canes (-26) to cover. Miami won by 23 instead. No 7 Oklahoma (-31) only won by 30 while receiving 89 percent of the action.

No. 9 Baylor had 61 percent of all bets to cover +2.5 against No. 21 BYU. The Bears lost by six.

Just an absolutely brutal week across the board that reminds us to never, ever doubt Week 2 again. No matter how light the schedule looks.

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ESPN’s College GameDay makes their selections for Week Two

Who do you have winning the big games?

It’s a BCS nostalgic weekend as Alabama travels to Austin to face the Texas Longhorns. ESPN’s College GameDay went with them to Doak Walker Stadium and welcomed in guest picker actor Glen Powell. Powell, along with Kirk Herbsterit, Desmond Howard, Lee Corso and new member Pat McAfee made their selections for the tops games this afternoon. Find out below who they picked to win today.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

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Baylor vs BYU Prediction, Game Preview

Baylor vs BYU game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 2 game on Saturday, September 10

Baylor vs BYU prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 2, Saturday, September 10

Baylor vs BYU How To Watch

Date: Saturday, September 10
Game Time: 10:15 ET
Venue: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Baylor (1-0), BYU (1-0)
– Sign up and live stream college football on ESPN+

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CFN 1-131 Rankings | Bowl Projections
CFN Week 2 Expert Picks | Week 2 Schedule
NFL Expert Predictions | NFL Predictions
What 12-Team Playoff Would Look Like
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Baylor vs BYU Game Preview

Why Baylor Will Win

The defense is going to travel.

The Bears gave up a first quarter touchdown to Albany, and that was it in the 69-10 win. The defense didn’t exactly extend itself – it didn’t have to – but it has the front line to hold up against a fantastic BYU offensive front.

The intensity is about to go up a few notches – expect more good plays on third downs than it showed against the Great Danes – and the offensive side should be fully tuned up.

Blake Shapen was deadly, the big plays with the passing game were there, and the offense should be able to keep it relatively simple without taking a slew of big chances. The defense will take care of the rest.

– CFN Expert Picks, Week 2

Why BYU Will Win

38-0.

How do you know BYU has it? How do you know it’s about to be in for something big? It comes out and obliterates an inferior opponent on the road with a dominant first 20 minutes. It jumped out on USF, led up later on, and won 50-21.

Yes, Baylor has a terrific defense, and yes, it’s not going to get rolled over against the run, but yes, it’ll see an offensive front that’s every bit as strong as anything it’ll face this season. The future Big 12 Cougars have all of the parts in place to pull this off.

Jaren Hall hit 25-of-32 passes for 261 yards and two scores in the win, the running backs have the rotation, and the lines …

To keep harping on this, you can’t hang with Baylor unless you can hold up in the trenches, and BYU can do that.

– Week 2 Schedule, Predictions, Game Preview

What’s Going To Happen

It’s a late night game, it’s Provo, and it’s a BYU with a chance to make a giant statement at home.

Can the Cougars overcome the likely loss of its top two receivers? Gunner Romney and Puka Nacua are expected to be out, and that’s going to be a problem against a Baylor defense that doesn’t need any help.

Baylor is more than good enough to pound away and get enough solid play on both sides to pull this off, but BYU will feed off the atmosphere, the early momentum, and the play of its veterans to make this a fantastic, tough game that will show off just how tough a Big 12 road date this will be next year.

The loss of the key BYU receivers will be just enough to tip this to the Baylor side.

– CFN Week 2 Predictions

Baylor vs BYU Prediction, Line

Baylor 27, BYU 24
Line: BYU -3.5, o/u: 53.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5
Baylor vs BYU Must See Rating (out of 5): 4

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– Predictions of Every Game
– Bowl Projections | Rankings
– Schedules, Scores For All 131 Teams

Notre Dame falls but how far in lastest USA TODAY AFCA Coaches Poll

It could have been worse

It was a hard fought loss for the Irish on Saturday evening and although they did not come out on top against Ohio State in prime time and it reflected like that in the lastest USA TODAY AFCA Coaches Poll. As Marcus Freeman put it in his postgame press conference, “we’re not in it for moral victories, man.” Being tough on yourself and your team will get Notre Dame far, but as he also said, “we didn’t finish.”

Around the rest of the college football world, No. 1 Alabama and No. 3 Georgia (over No. 12 Oregon, wow) cruised, No. 8 Utah was upset by Florida, while No. 13 NC State narrowly escape the upset bid by East Carolina. In the other top-25 matchup, No. 23 Arkansas “upset” No. 22 Cincinnati at home.

Find out below where each team ranked in today’s latest Coaches Poll with their previous ranking in parenthesis.

#25 – BYU (NR)

#24 – Oregon (12)

#23 – Ole Miss (24)

#22 – Texas (18)

#21 – Wake Forest (19)

#20 – Kentucky (21)

#19 – Florida (NR)

#18 – Wisconsin (20)

#17 – Arkansas (23)

#16 – Miami, FL (17)

#15 – Utah (8)

#14 – Pittsburgh (16)

#13 – NC State (13)

#12 – USC (15)

#11 -Michigan State (14)

BYU vs USF Prediction, Game Preview

BYU vs USF game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 1 game on Saturday, September 3

BYU vs USF prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 1, Saturday, September 3

BYU vs USF How To Watch

Date: Saturday, September 3
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
How To Watch: ESPNU
Record: BYU (0-0), USF (0-0)
– Sign up and live stream college football on ESPN+

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CFN Preview 2021: All 131 Teams
CFN Predictions of Every Game
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt
2022 Bowl Projections | Week 0 Rankings 1-131
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BYU vs USF Game Preview

Why BYU Will Win

The offense is beyond loaded with experience and talent.

The skill parts are fine – the deep group of backs and veteran receivers are all there for QB Jaren Hall to work with – but it’s the offensive line that should take over early on.

The USF D finished 123rd in the nation, and the biggest problem was against the run – that’s not going to be fixed immediately.

The Bulls bring a slew of veterans for new coordinator Bob Shoop, but there are question marks at tackle and the line as a whole will need a while. BYU’s front five should have an easy time taking advantage of that as it keeps on blasting away.

But …

– Week 1 CFN College Football Expert Picks

Why USF Will Win

USF has the experience on both sides of the ball to be feisty.

The defense might not be there quite yet, but it gets back most of the key starters helped by the 1-2 linebacking punch of Antonio Grier and Dwayne Boyles. The run defense might be a brick wall, but the Bulls will get stops out of those two.

The BYU defense has to generate more of a pass rush and it needs to prove it can hold up better against the run on a regular basis.

If the USF offensive front can get a push early on – it’s one of the team’s better strengths going into the season – the backs should be able to take over and the O can keep the D on the bench.

– Week 1 Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews, Saturday

What’s Going To Happen

USF will be more interesting than BYU might like.

The Bull offense will have enough moments to make this a battle in the heat and humidity – it’s supposed to be in the 90s and raining in Tampa on Saturday – but the BYU lines will take over.

The steady offensive production of the Cougars will take over in the second half.

– All of the CFN Predictions

BYU vs USF Prediction, Line

BYU 37, USF 24
Line: BYU -12, o/u: 58.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5

– How every college coach does against the spread

BYU vs USF Must See Rating: 2.5
5: Gangs of London Season 2
1: Mack & Rita

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– Predictions of Every Game
– Bowl Projections | Rankings
– Schedules For All 131 Teams

CFN Preseason All-Independent Football Team, Top 30 Players: Preview 2022

Who are the best players among the independents going into the 2022 college football season? They’re highlighted in the CFN 2022 Preseason All-Independent team and top 30 players.

Who are the best players among the Independents going into the 2022 college football season? They’re highlighted in the CFN 2022 Preseason All-Independent team and top 30 players.

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– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews

2022 Preseason CFN Independent Offensive Player of the Year

TE Michael Mayer, Jr. Notre Dame

No, he’s not the receiver or big play target Brock Bowers of Georgia is, and there are plenty of other great tight ends coming into the season, but the 6-4, 251-pound veteran will get more than his share of the spotlight as one of the season’s biggest stars.

The future NFL starter caught 71 passes for 840 yards and seven touchdowns last season after making 42 in 2020. Now it’s salary drive time as he pushes to be a high first round draft pick with his physical style, blocking, and pass catching skills. He can do it all.

2022 Preseason CFN Independent Defensive Player of the Year

LB Andre Carter, Jr. Army

Yeah, yeah, yeah, a slew of Notre Dame defensive players probably should be fighting it out for this spot – Isaiah Foskey is fantastic; he’s the better pro prospect and more talented overall player – but Army’s special pass rusher gets the top nod assuming he can come close to matching the production of last year.

Who led the nation in sacks? Alabama’s Will Anderson had the most, but it was Carter who had the most sacks per game – 1.19 compared to 1.17 – to go along with his 44 tackles, four forced fumbles, and 18.5 tackles for loss.

No, he didn’t play an SEC schedule like Anderson, and he didn’t deal with the slate that Foskey had to, but he came up with big plays against Wisconsin and in the bowl win over Missouri, and the production was steady. Expect him to keep it all going as the star of an Army team with a defense to match the deadly rushing attack from the other side – almost.

College Football News 2022 Preseason All-Independent Team: Offense

QB Jaren Hall, Jr. BYU

RB Ellis Merriweather, Sr. UMass

RB Tyrell Robinson, Jr. Army

WR Caleb Snead, Sr. Liberty

WR Puka Nacua, Jr. BYU

TE Michael Mayer, Jr. Notre Dame

OT Blake Fisher, Soph. Notre Dame

OG Clark Barrington, Jr. BYU

C Cam Reddy, Sr. Liberty

OG Jarrett Patterson, Sr. Notre Dame

OT Blake Freeland, Jr. BYU

College Football News 2022 Preseason All-Independent Team: Defense

DE TreShaun Clark, Jr. Liberty

DT Jacob Lacy, Sr. Notre Dame

DT Jayson Ademilola, Sr. Notre Dame

DE Isaiah Foskey, Jr. Notre Dame

LB JD Bertrand, Jr. Notre Dame

LB Andre Carter, Jr. Army

LB Keenan Pili, Jr. BYU

CB Cam Hart, Sr. Notre Dame

S Brandon Joseph, Sr. Notre Dame

S Javon Scruggs, Sr. Liberty

CB Clarence Lewis, Jr. Notre Dame

College Football News 2022 Preseason All-Independent Team: Special Teams

PK Ethan Albertson, Jr. New Mexico State

P Ryan Rehkow, Soph BYU

KR Brian Brewton, Soph. UConn

PR Hobbs Nyberg, Soph. BYU

CFN 2022 Team Previews
Army | BYU | Liberty | New Mexico State
Notre Dame | UConn | UMass
Independent Predictions For Every Game
CFN Preview 2022
Bowl Projections | Preseason Rankings

College Football News 2022 Preseason Top 30 Independent Players

30. Kaleb Hayes, CB Sr. BYU

29. Trevor Brohard, LB Sr. New Mexico State

28. TreShaun Clark, DE Jr. Liberty

27. Joe Alt, OT Soph. Notre Dame

26. Caleb Snead, WR Sr. Liberty

25. Chris Tyree, RB Jr. Notre Dame

24. Marquel Broughton, S Sr. Army

23. Jack Kiser, LB Sr. Notre Dame

22. Jakobi Buchanan, FB Sr. Army

21. Blake Fisher, OT Soph. Notre Dame

20. Tyrell Robinson, RB Jr. Army

19. Chris Ojoh, LB Sr. New Mexico State

18. Josh Wallace, CB Jr. UMass

17. Clarence Lewis, CB Jr. Notre Dame

16. Puka Nacua, WR Jr. BYU

15. Ellis Merriweather, RB Sr. UMass

14. Payton Wilgar, LB Jr. BYU

13. Jackson Mitchell, LB Soph. UConn

12. Keenan Pili, LB Jr. BYU

11. Tyler Buchner, QB Soph. Notre Dame

10. JD Bertrand, LB Jr. Notre Dame

9. Javon Scruggs, S Sr. Liberty

8. Cam Hart, CB Sr. Notre Dame

7. Jaren Hall, QB Jr. BYU

6. Blake Freeland, OT Jr. BYU

5. Jarrett Patterson, C/OG Sr. Notre Dame

4. Brandon Joseph, S Sr. Notre Dame

3. Michael Mayer, TE Jr. Notre Dame

2. Isaiah Foskey, DE Jr. Notre Dame

1. Andre Carter, LB Jr. Army

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CFN 2022 Team Previews
Army | BYU | Liberty | New Mexico State
Notre Dame | UConn | UMass
Independent Predictions For Every Game
CFN Preview 2022
Bowl Projections | Preseason Rankings

BYU Cougars Preview 2022: Season Prediction, Breakdown, Key Games, Players

BYU College Football Preview 2022: Team breakdown, season prediction, keys to the campaign, and what you need to know

BYU Cougars Preview 2022: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the BYU season with what you need to know and keys to the season.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

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BYU Cougars Preview
Head Coach: Kalani Sitake, 7th year at BYU, 48-29
2021 Preview: 10-3 record
Keys To The Season | Season Prediction, What Will Happen
BYU Top 10 Players | BYU Schedule

BYU Cougars Preview 2022

They’re not there quite yet.

It’s going to be easy to write this season off as the warm-up before finally joining a Power Five conference – going to the Big 12 next season – but there’s way too much talent, way too much experience, and way too many big opportunities for this year to be anything less than special.

The Cougars were a thrilling loss to Coastal Carolina away from going unbeaten in 2020, and last year they won the “Pac-12 Championship” with victories over Utah, Arizona State, Utah, Washington State, and USC in a fun ten-win campaign.

Now it’s time for the program to prove it can take things up a few notches.

Yeah, all those wins over Pac-12 teams were great, and rolling to a 66-49 victory over Virginia was fun, and taking down Mountain West champ Utah State was terrific …

So how does that team lose a bowl game to a good-but-not-killer UAB?

There were a slew of injuries that didn’t help in the midseason losses to Boise State and Baylor, but this time around there’s more depth, more options, and more talent to make a huge splash before the big move.

There isn’t a conference championship to play for, and there isn’t a date against Utah to use as a chest-thumping moment, but the team and schedule are strong enough to push for a New Year’s Six bowl.

21 wins over the last two seasons was a whole lot of fun.

Now it’s time for BYU to expect more.

BYU Cougars Preview 2022: Offense

The offense wasn’t always explosive, but it was efficient. It wasn’t always consistent, but it was great at moving the chains and keeping the big mistakes to a minimum. It wasn’t always clutch, but it finished the year 17th in the nation overall and 29th in scoring.

And now it’s loaded.

The offensive line might be among the program’s best ever if the tackles play up to the hype. The combination of tackle Blake Freeland and guard Blake Barrington on the left side should be dominant – BYU was among the best teams in the nation in pass protection. The best of the bunch though might be Oregon transfer Kingsley Suamataia – he’s a future NFL starter who’ll work at right tackle for now.

The strong front five doesn’t have Tyler Allgeier to block for anymore, but the running game will be more than fine. Cal transfer Christopher Brooks will be an instant fit, and 215-pound veteran Lopina Katoa can add some work. Also able to add to the running game …

QB Jaren Hall is on the verge of being special. He’s not Zach Wilson, but he’s improving as a passer – throwing for 2,583 yards and 20 touchdowns with five picks – and he’s great on the move. Now he has to stay healthy with backup Baylor Romney leaving football to start his real job career.

Gunner Romney, though, is back along with Puka Nacua to form a deadly 1-2 punch. Those two combined for close to 1,400 yards and nine touchdowns, and they’re not alone. It’s a deep corps, and tight ends Isaac Rex and Dallin Holker can catch.

The offense will be great, and now …

BYU Cougars Preview 2022: Defense

The defense has to be better. It has the talent, and it has the experience, but the D that allowed 388 yards and 25 points per game needs to generate more of a pass rush and has to be far tougher against the run.

There weren’t too many issues overall. Virginia and Baylor were the only two teams to hit the 500-yard mark, and Baylor beat the Cavaliers. There weren’t too many problems with everyone else, but …

Again, the defense needs to be better, and it will be. It starts with getting healthy parts back to what should be a loaded linebacking corps. Payton Wilgar and Keenan Pili return after getting hurt – they should combine for well over 100 tackles.

Combine them with 2021’s leading tackler Ben Bywater and with second-leading tackler Max Tooley playing a hybrid role, and look out.

Now the pass rush has to be there. The Cougars only generated 20 sacks and 64 tackles for loss, and just three players registered more than 1.5 sacks – Tyler Batty is back after leading the way with only 3.5 sacks. However, there’s size, depth, and there should be a solid rotation for the 4-2-5 alignment.

The secondary did a good job despite the lack of a pass rush. The corner tandem of Kaleb Hayes and D’Angelo Mandell is experienced and outstanding, and the safeties are diverse and versatile. There are a whole lot of ways to play around with the deep lineup.

Keys To The Season | Season Prediction, What Will Happen
BYU Top 10 Players | BYU Schedule

BYU Cougars: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats NEXT

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247Sports sees this game as a potential trap for Notre Dame

It’s a trap!!!

Every year, teams overlook another and get beaten by a team that isn’t nearly the same quality as the triumphant. This type of games are what make college sports so exciting to watch and now 247Sports has predicted each trap game for the Top 25 teams.

For Notre Dame, Sam Marsdale predicted it will be the contest in Las Vegas against BYU that the Irish could struggle in. The Cougars are a solid team, but the rationale of this game being a trap is due to having a bye week following a three-game home stand for the Irish. As Marsdale put it, “this will be no relaxing game.”

For me, this isn’t necessarily a trap game, as he pointed out that a 21-4 record over the last two years for BYU. A trap game is more of an underrated squad; that could catch a team off guard as they look to the next week or struggled the week before.

The trip to Syracuse fits the mold for me, as the Irish will have a huge contest against Clemson the week after. The Orangemen should have a solid squad, even though they most likely won’t be ranked when they face off against the Irish. The JMA Wireless Dome is the only one the Irish will play in this fall. On paper this game looks to be easy for Notre Dame but ‘Cuse could give the Irish a game.

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Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeFChen

High School Football Highlights: Isaac Wilson’s off-platform touchdown pass 1 of 6

Wilson went 21/30 for 450 yards and six touchdown passes.

Some High School Football programs got a head start to the year, playing their first games of the 2022 season this past Friday night.

There are still a lot of great quarterbacks that have yet to make their debut. For now, one standout worth mentioning is Isaac Wilson from Corner Canyon (Utah) – who put up some video game numbers in the Chargers’ dominant 45-7 win over Herriman (Utah).

Wilson went 21/30 for 450 yards and six touchdown passes, including this off-platform beauty.

Wilson (5-foot-11, 166 pounds) is a four-star recruit from the class of 2024 that is as yet uncommitted. He has nine offers so far, including BYU, Arizona, Idaho State, Miami, Oregon, Oregon State, San Diego State, San Jose State and Weber State.

Wilson’s older brother Zach played his college ball at BYU and is now the starting quarterback for the New York Jets. Unfortunately, the elder Wilson suffered a knee injury in his team’s first preseason game and is expected to miss the next few weeks.

As for Isaac, next on the schedule for Corner Canyon is a road game against Bishop Gorman (N.V.) — another team that is no stranger to the USA TODAY Sports Super 25.

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See It: Notre Dame Shamrock Series uniform photo gallery close ups

Awesome or too much like Georgia Tech?

As expected, Notre Dame released their [autotag]Shamrock Series[/autotag] uniforms for their October date in Las Vegas with [autotag]BYU[/autotag].  The release came in epic fashion as [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag], [autotag]Isaiah Foskey[/autotag], and [autotag]Michael Mayer[/autotag] all participated in a four minute video that was essentially a tribute to “The Hangover” which was released 13 years ago (where does the time go?).

Notre Dame has also released photos of the uniforms that to me look about as good as any alternate uniform we have seen the Fighting Irish wear in a very long time.  My favorite Shamrock Series uniforms the Irish have ever worn came in the 2013 game against [autotag]Arizona State[/autotag] and the white is in line with those.

The one issue I have with them is the because the pants are plain the uniform as a whole looks exactly what [autotag]Georgia Tech[/autotag] wears regularly.

Whatever the case, these are still some of the better alternates Notre Dame has rocked and I can’t wait to see how good they look in action.