The Toledo Rockets are off to a great start so far this season. The team has a 3-0 record and has outscored opponents 128-30 so far. The Rockets will try and keep to continue their winning ways when they take on the BYU Cougars in this Week 5 matchup on the road.
On the flip side, BYU is looking to snap a three-game losing streak this week. After capturing a win over Arizona in the season opener, the Cougars have floundered. While Toledo has been much better, BYU is a slight home favorite.
This matchup in Week 5 of the regular season will take place on Friday, September 30, 2016, at 7:15 p.m. ET at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Toledo +3
BYU -3
Odds Analysis
The oddsmakers and the bettors clearly aren’t sold on Toledo as its three wins have come against inferior competition. The money is going on BYU to cover at an 87 percent clip.
Matchup to Watch
Toledo running game vs. BYU run defense -- The Rockets can throw, but that’s set up by the run. Toledo has averaged 230 rushing yards per game through three contests, and Kareem Hunt has led the way with 267 yards and two touchdowns.
BYU has done a nice job of slowing down its first four opponents in that facet. The Cougars are only allowing 120.8 yards per game on the ground and keeping Toledo from gaining big chunks of yards that way is crucial.
The team that wins this battle could very well end up winning the game.
Key Stat
7. That’s the number of points combined that BYU’s opponents have beaten the Cougars by in the last three games. At first, the Week 2 loss to rival Utah could be written off as a bad performance.
Down by a touchdown late in the game, the Cougars scored on a 7-yard touchdown run by Taysom Hill with 18 seconds left but instead of kicking the extra point to tie the game, the Cougars went for two and when Hill was stuff on a draw up the middle, BYU was handed its first loss of the season.
Then came the failed comeback attempts in Week 3 and Week 4 where the Cougars fell behind early, and came up a field goal short against UCLA and West Virginia. Now, it’s officially a thing — these so-close losses.
However frustrating it may be to BYU fans, it could indicate that the Cougars aren’t as bad as the record indicates.
Free ATS Pick
Toledo quarterback Logan Woodside is 51-of-82 for 939 yards with 11 touchdowns and one interception in the team’s hot start. The junior threw for 239 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s 52-17 win over Fresno State. The Rockets’ success has a lot to do with its stout defensive performance so far this season. The team ranks third in the nation right now for points against, holding opponents to 10 points a game so far.
The Cougar defense has struggled early this season, allowing 22 points a game while its offense is only putting up 20.1 a game. Allowing opponents to build early leads has proved problematic as well.
The offense is not without its hurdles. Hill has completed 91-of-151 passing attempts for 869 yard with four touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’ll need to improve his accuracy and make better decisions if he hopes to see more success this week.
BYU faces two ranked opponents in October in No. 17 Michigan State and No. 24 Boise State so turning the tide now is even more essential. The Cougars might not have the record that Toledo does, but they have faced better teams and will prove they are the superior program with a home win.
College Football Odds: BYU 27, Toledo 21
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the gol. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
