BYU Cougars 2023 Future Odds
Cougars Ready to Begin Big 12 Conference Play
The BYU Cougars are about to embark on a new adventure. The Cougars are joining Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston as new members of the Big 12 Conference. It’s not going to be an easy transition for BYU, but the Cougars have enough of a football tradition to thrive in the Big 12 over time. However, it’s not going to happen overnight. And the BYU Cougars future odds suggest that the team is going to run into a couple of potholes along the way.
BYU Cougars At A Glance
| Odds to Win | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
| National Championship | +40000 | +40000 |
| Conference | +10000 | +8000 |
| Regular Season Win Total | 6.0 (o+115, u-135) | 5.5 (o-105, u-125) |
| To Make Playoffs (if applicable) | N/A | N/A |
Cougars to Have a Number of New Faces
The BYU Cougars are pinning their offensive fortunes on a pair of transfers. Quarterback Kedon Slovis comes in from Pitt after playing the three previous seasons at USC. His numbers have gotten progressively worse, however. As a freshman with the Trojans, Slovis threw for 3,502 yards, 30 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Last year at Pitt, he threw for 2,397 yards, 10 TDs, and nine interceptions.
Aidan Robbins comes in after rushing for 1,011 yards with UNLV last season. He’ll have a decent offensive line to run behind after the Cougars added Utah transfer Paul Maile, Missouri State‘s Ian Fitzgerald, Oklahoma State‘s Caleb Etienne, and Oregon standout Kingsley Suamataia.
The receiving corps isn’t bad. A few solid players are returning and again, BYU was busy in the transfer portal, adding Darius Lassiter from Eastern Michigan. The Cougars do throw the ball to the tight end Isaac Rex had six touchdowns last season.
The defense was below BYU standards last season and there were a number of changes, beginning with new defensive coordinator Jay Hill from Weber State. The Cougars allowed 29.5 points and 408.1 yards last season.
Once again, BYU was busy bringing in players from other schools. Hill brought FCS All-America cornerback Eddie Heckard from Weber, while assistant coach Kelly Poppinga brought in a pair of Boise State defensive linemen.
The linebackers should be in decent shape and the secondary isn’t bad. BYU has to get more pressure on the quarterback to take some of the pressure off of the defensive backs in the pass-happy Big 12 Conference.
The defense should be better than it was last season. But that isn’t really saying a whole lot.
National Championship Odds: Not This Season
In time, the Cougars could become a national championship contender. But it’s not going to be this year. Playing in the Big 12 Conference will certainly help with recruiting. But it’s going to take time. The BYU Cougars future odds of +40000 are double the +20000 of a year ago.
Conference Odds: Cougars are Serious Longshots
Bettors aren’t giving the Cougars a whole lot of respect to win the Big 12 Conference this season. It might be a little different if this was one of BYU’s better teams. But there are too many question marks entering the season. The NCAAF schedule is going to be much tougher than BYU is used to seeing. That will likely result in a lower finish in the college football standings than the Cougars are accustomed to. The BYU Cougars’ future odds of +8000 to win the Big 12 are pretty realistic.
Regular Season Wins: Finishing .500 Gets the Job Done
The BYU Cougars future odds on their win total dropped from 6 to 5.5, as bettors are expecting a sub-.500 season for the Cougars. If BYU is going to get more than 5.5 wins, they’re going to have to get out to a quick start. The beginning portion of the schedule is much easier than the end of the slate.
BYU should win its first two games of the season against Sam Houston and Southern Utah. But trips to Arkansas and Kansas follow. The Cougars return home to host Cincinnati and then things really get tough. The Cougars are at TCU, host Texas Tech, and then travel to Texas and West Virginia. Home games against Iowa State and Oklahoma are followed by a trip to Oklahoma State.
Five or six wins seems about right for the Cougars this season, which puts them right around their season win total. If anything, the under looks a little more likely to come through. But it shouldn’t be one of your best college football bets. A few things would have to fall into place for BYU, but that sixth win is possible.
For NCAAF betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
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