NCAA Football
2006-12-21 - Oregon at BYU
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Two teams that finished the regular season heading in very different directions will meet in Las Vegas tonight when the No. 20 Brigham Young Cougars (10-2) take on the Oregon Ducks (7-5).The Cougars enter on a nine-game winning streak after going undefeated in the Mountain West Conference to claim their first conference title since 2001. Paving the way was one of the most dangerous passing attacks in the country led by senior quarterback John Beck.
Beck helped BYU finish fourth in the nation with an average of 319.3 passing yards per game. Beck’s numbers were downright video game like with a completion percentage of 70 with 30 touchdowns against just six interceptions. Despite the impressive stats, he will have his work cut out for him against an Oregon team that’s allowing just 156 passing yards per game.
Oregon comes in winless in its last three games, including a heart-breaking last minute loss to rival Oregon State in its season finale on Nov. 24. (Yep, I did cash in on that one as well! ) That game saw the Ducks allow a season-high 255 yards through the air; just the third time they allowed an opponent to pass for over 200 yards all season.
On offense, Oregon couldn’t be more different than BYU. The Ducks finished the season ranked first in the Pac-10 and eighth in the country with an average of 189.2 rushing yards per game.
Their ground attack is led by sophomore Jonathan Stewart, who is anything but the prototypical running back at 6-foot-2 and 260 pounds. Stewart emerged early in the season as a darkhorse Heisman Trophy candidate before injuries and Oregon losses stalled his campaign. Nonetheless, Stewart finished the season with 960 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on just 176 carries.
Oregon’s biggest question mark is its play at quarterback. Junior Dennis Dixon was the team’s starter much of the season, but slowly gave way to fellow junior Brady Leaf as the season progressed.
Leaf played his first full game as a starter against Oregon State. He threw for 274 yards, one touchdown and one interception and is expected to get the start in Las Vegas.
It will be the second straight trip to the Las Vegas Bowl for the Cougars, who lost 35-28 to California last year.
the verdict
I'm expecting BYU to take the win here to make up for previous losses. The spread has gone from -6 to -3 and now to -3.5 so I'd rather lump on the straight win here.
PS: You might do well to consider the over which has gone to 62 at the moment. Looks huge but both teams average 68 points between them and this could turn into a TD per possession game.
BEST BETTING TIP :
Prediction: BYU to win the Las Vegas Bowl.Also look to take the OVER!
