Western Michigan Broncos vs. BYU Cougars Prediction

The Western Michigan Broncos vs. BYU Cougars game featured a line of BYU -12.5.   THIS GAME STARTS AT 4 PM EST.

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Our Observation

The line on this one opened at BYU -11 and has moved to -13.  The underdog was seeing close to 75% of the action.

The line is moving in the wrong direction it would appear initially.  Some of the sharp books were moving more towards the -13, somewhat of an indication that they were liking a BYU blowout here. 

Predictions

Phil Steele offered this prediction via ESPN.com:

"Both teams went to backup quarterbacks at the end of the season, but for different reasons and with different levels of success. BYU put backup quarterback Zach Wilson in as the starter for its last six games and went 3-3 (5-1 ATS) in that stretch -- with their losses coming by a combined 14 points. Western Michigan lost starting quarterback Jon Wassink to injury against Toledo and went 1-3 down the stretch, with their losses coming by a combined 73 points. True freshman Kaleb Eleby did hit 65 percent of his passes for the Broncos, and was my No. 55-rated quarterback out of high school and has a strong arm, so he should fare better with added bowl practices.

"Western Michigan has a dynamic running back duo of LeVante Bellamy and Jamauri Bogan, who combined to rush for 1,871 yards and 21 rushing TDs. The Broncos also have the edge at wide receiver and on the offensive line. BYU has my No. 25-rated defense, allowing just 326 yards per game, while Western Michigan is at No. 101 in my rankings -- allowing foes 13 yards above their season averages. BYU also has the special-teams edge and took on the tougher schedule, facing five Power 5 teams in the process.

"BYU is used to the altitude, and the Cougars will have the crowd edge and figure to win the game. However, my system calls for BYU to have only a 48-yard edge, and that has me taking the double-digit underdog here."

About the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is an NCAA-sanctioned post-season college football bowl game that has been played annually since 1997 at Albertsons Stadium on the campus of Boise State University in Boise, Idaho. The game is televised nationally on the ESPN family of networks.

The payout is $325,000.

- Mary Montgomery, Gambling911.com