New Mexico Bowl Betting Odds: SMU vs BYU Analysis

Cougars Missed the Cover in 8 of Last 10 

The New Mexico Bowl betting odds indicates that the 17th annual New Mexico Bowl should be a closely contested affair with the Mustangs coming in as small favorites.

This will be BYU’s second appearance, but first since 2010 when they defeated UTEP 52-24. The Cougar’s 52 points set a New Mexico Bowl record for the most points scored. This will be the first trip to Albuquerque for the Mustangs who have not won a bowl game since 2012. Let’s get into both teams followed by our New Mexico Bowl betting odds analysis.

New Mexico Bowl

Game: SMU Mustangs (7-5) vs. BYU Cougars (7-5)
Location: University Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Day/Time: Saturday, December 17th, 7:30 pm ET, 4:30 pm PT
Television: ABC


Question Marks Scares Public Off Cougars

The opening number had the SMU Mustangs as a 2 1/2 -pt favorite, but professional money forced a 3 ½ point move that made the Cougars a 1 ½-pt favorite, briefly.

Once the public caught wind of Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall is less than 100% and backup Jacob Conover entering the transfer portal, they were all too happy to bet SMU back up to a 1 1/2 -pt favorite. SMU’s high-octane offense wasn’t enough to entice bettors to bet the over as the opening total of 74.5 fell quickly to 71 considering it’s guaranteed that the Cougars can do their part to push this over.

To give out a New Mexico Bowl prediction, there has to be some definitive news on the status of Hall who has two weeks to heal after suffering an ankle injury against Stanford, be sure to check the full ncaaf injury report before betting.

For total bettors, the weather doesn’t appear to be a factor even though it is expected to be in the 30s come kickoff. To continue our New Mexico Bowl betting odds preview, let’s look at both squads and how they got here.

Mustangs Hope to Stay With Cougars In High Scoring Affair

College Football betting is never easy, but when you have two evenly matched teams with a total in the 70s, the predictability factor falls drastically because anything can happen.

The Mustangs have not had a winning regular season against the spread since 2019 when they went 7-5 ATS. Since, SMU is 15-17 ATS, costing bettors 342 units of profit.

First-year Head Coach Rhett Lashlee will be trying to win his first bowl game as a head coach and the school’s first since a 43-10 win over Fresno State in the 2012 Hawaii Bowl.

SMU has won five of their last seven games to recover from a three-game losing streak after opening this NCAAF season with two wins. The Mustangs have not had a winning regular season against the spread since 2019 when they went 7-5 ATS. Since, SMU is 15-17 ATS, costing bettors 342 units of profit.

In bowl games, SMU is 3-3 ATS but has not covered a bowl game since 2012 (0-2). Let’s continue our New Mexico betting odds preview by taking a closer look at BYU.

BYU Quarterback Depth in Question

Like the Mustangs, BYU Cougars suffered a long losing streak, starting with a loss to Notre Dame in Las Vegas in early October. They would go on to lose three more before winning in Boise, Idaho against the Broncos, 31-28, in early November. They finished with a 3-game win streak to sneak into their 40th bowl game in program history.

There is an injury concern for BYU after quarterback Jaren Hall injured his right ankle against Stanford in the regular season finale. His injury brings up various issues for the Cougars behind center.

First, to hear Head Coach Kalani Sitake talk about the injury, it sounds as if the ankle isn’t the issue, it’s whether or not Hall will decide to participate in the game after saying that he’s confident he’ll make the right decision for him and his family. That makes it complicated after backup quarterback Jacob Conover announced he was entering the transfer portal.

Sprinkle in the resignation of long-time defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki is stepping down after seven seasons. Let’s continue our New Mexico Bowl betting odds preview by giving you the sharpest advice in the industry.

Bettors Should Play Waiting Game

It goes without saying that bettors should wait to see if Hall is going to play because it affects any wage you would make on this game.

Our gut feeling is that Hall could play if he chooses to but unfortunately, this is the time of year when players focus on their future rather than finishing off their present. If you must have action, obviously wait, but if you don’t there is no need to force a wager on this match-up with there being so many other games to choose from.

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