NCAA Football BETTING PREVIEW - Arizona State Sun Devils @ BYU Cougars

NCAA Football

2026-10-31 - Arizona State Sun Devils at BYU Cougars

A Sports Betting Preview by FirstDown

Arizona State Sun Devils @ BYU Cougars
United States : College Football Week 9
Saturday 31st October 2026 - Scheduled 3:30pm EST
7:30pm (British Time)

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Preview

There are some Conferences where the Playoff Committee will overlook a loss, or perhaps two, but the Big 12 has not been one of those in the last couple of years, even as the Playoff field has been expanded to twelve teams.

Last season the blowout loss to the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Big 12 Championship Game prevented the BYU Cougars (6-1) from taking part in the Playoffs, but the team have looked capable of going one better this time around. However, the Cougars are under pressure to bounce back from a very disappointing road loss to the UCF Knights in Week 8, which came just after BYU had upset the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Two seasons ago the Arizona State Sun Devils (4-3) won the Big 12 Championship and played in the Quarter Final of the Playoffs where they were eventually beaten in Second Overtime. They look unlikely to repeat the feat in 2026 as the Sun Devils are already 2-2 in Big 12 play, but they did beat the Kansas State Wildcats last week and that snapped a run of consecutive defeats in the Conference where Arizona State had been struggling massively as a Defensive unit.

It is something the Cougars will be looking to exploit as they bid to bounce back from an upset loss and BYU should find plenty of balance on this side of the ball to keep the Sun Devils guessing.

The BYU Offensive Line should be able to help the home team establish the run and good things happen from there- the Sun Devils have struggled to stop the run for much of the season and that is likely going to be the same in Week 9, which will keep Bear Bachmeier in positive Down and distance from where the Quarter Back should be able to get something rolling.

Bear Bachmeier has been well protected and giving him time from third and manageable spots should mean an opening of the playbook and the Cougars should be able to keep the chains moving consistently. There are holes in the Arizona State Secondary and this is a team that have not been able to create too many turnovers in recent weeks, which should mean BYU are having another strong Offensive day.

It makes the Cougars favourites, but covering this big spread will depend on the performance of the Defensive unit who have had some mixed outings in the last couple of weeks.

Arizona State may not be able to expose any vulnerabilities as UCF managed to do with this game being on the road, but they will look to at least establish the run and give the team a chance to keep the chains moving. However, pounding the rock with the kind of consistency needed to give the team the confidence to earn the upset is perhaps going to be lacking and it will be up to Mikey Keene and the committee used at Quarter Back to try and keep the Arizona State Offensive unit on the field.

The Sun Devils will take encouragement from some of the successes that recent BYU opponents have had when it comes to throwing the ball against them, but the Offensive Line will be under a bit of pressure to make sure whoever is playing at Quarter Back is given some time in the pocket. The Cougars have not really found a fierce pass rush, but they could have more success against this Arizona State Offensive Line and that gives the home team the chance to stall drives.

Games between these teams have been competitive since both moved into the Big 12, but the Sun Devils have been beaten by 36 points by Baylor and 28 points by Texas Tech and an angry BYU team can secure a big win as well.

Prediction

Lay the points with the home favourite in their bid to bounce back from a really disappointing Conference loss.

The Pick :

BYU Cougars 37-20 Arizona State Sun Devils

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back BYU Cougars - 16.5 Points at -110 with Bookmaker.EU