BEN BURNS
FRIDAY NIGHT FEAST
10* Seattle Mariners +1.5 -155
MAIN EVENT
9* UTAH STATE (+4 or better)
Game: BYU vs. Utah St. Game Time: 10/1/2010 8:00:00 PM Prediction: Utah St. Reason: I'm playing on UTAH STATE. The Cougars have dominated this "rivalry" in recent years. This year's BYU team isn't as good though. I expect the Aggies, who I believe to be much improved, to give their instate guests all they can handle. Both teams have played fairly difficult schedules and both come in at 1-3. The Cougars began their campaign with a solid 6-point home win vs. Washington. They've lost each of their last three games by double-digits though. In fact, all three losses came by at least two touchdowns and they came by an average of 19.67 points. Note that BYU suffered fairly heavy offseason losses, including QB Max Hall. Overall, the Cougars returned only 12 starters. The Aggies did get blown out at San Diego State last week. They played Fresno State fairly tough in their most recent home game though. That game was tied at halftime and also entering the fourth quarter. The Aggies easily won their other home game, a blowout vs. a weak Idaho State program. More impressive, however, was the way they played Oklahoma. Indeed, this team actually outgained the Sooners and lost by only seven points, at Oklahoma. Unlike BYU, the Aggies could be considered an 'experienced team,' as they brought back 16 starters from last season's team. While the Cougars no longer have Max Hall, the Aggies bring back QB Diondre Borel. You may recall that Borel was 20 of 28 for 213 yards at BYU last year. True, BYU has dominated the series from a SU standpoint. That doesn't mean that the Aggies don't "get up" for these games though. Last year, at BYU, (when the Cougars were ranked #20 in the country) covered the spread, as they also did here in 2008, that time against a BYU team which was ranked #8 in the country. The Cougars are just 1-6 ATS their last seven games against teams with a winning record and only 7-12 ATS the last 19 times that they were laying points. During the same stretch, the Aggies are 12-7-1 ATS when getting points. Note that they're also an outstanding 7-2 ATS when coming off back to back SU losses. The Aggies know that they went on the road and played the Cougars tough (at least for 3 quarters) last season. That should give them added confidence to believe that they can actually beat them here at home, particularly as they know BYU isn't as strong this season and as they feel that they are stronger. Going on the road and giving the Sooners all they could handle was great. However, beating BYU, in front of the home fans and a National TV audience would be even sweeter. They've had this game circled and I expect them to bounce back with their best effort. *9