If you’re a NCAA Football betting aficionado that wants a break from the rigors of trying to cash in consistently, then you’re in for a treat thanks to this insightful look at the annual matchup between the BYU Cougars and Utah State Aggies that is known as the battle for the Old Wagon Wheel. You see, while this matchup may not get the same national media attention that some other bigger name rivalries generate on an annual basis, the almost yearly competition between the Utah-based schools is a lot lengthier than you might think. Now, let’s find out all about this annual pairing.
A Closer Look at the BYU vs Utah College Football Odds Rivalry
New Pro Day mural is up in the offices! Good luck to all those guys as they try and make NFL rosters!! #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/tZc8FBd3SH
— BYU Football (@BYUfootball) June 16, 2015
The Beginning
BYU and Utah State first met on the gridiron way back in 1922, long before the creation of the Old Wagon Wheel trophy era that started in 1948.The Aggies won that inaugural meeting 42-3 and would go on to win the first four games and six of the first seven matchups against BYU overall. Following a four-game winning streak by the Cougars from 1929 to 1932, Utah Sate would go on to record its own quartet of consecutive victories.
In the 23 times the schools met before The Old Wagon Wheel was first awarded, the Aggies compiled a solid 12-8-3 SU mark over their in-state rivals. Utah State would go on to dominate the series with a stellar 18-10 post-trophy era record up until 1974 when BYU began to turn things around in a big way.
More Recent History
For the next three decades, the BYU Cougars absolutely dominated the series. The Cougars would go on to win three straight and six of seven starting in 1975. After falling to the Aggies 20-17 at home in 1982, the Cougars would then record 10 straight victories over their longtime rivals to finally take a series lead (33-32-3). Following another Utah State win in 1993, BYU would then reel off another 10 straight series victories. The Aggies then defeated the Cougars 31-16 on October 1, 2010 to snap that skid – before BYU won the next three matchups. However, it was the Aggies that got back in the win column a year ago by taking out the Cougars 35-20 to reclaim the prized Wagon Wheel trophy. The two rivals have met for the Old Wagon Wheel 61 times, dating back to 1948. BYU currently hold an all-time series edge with a 46-35-3 record against Utah State.
Starting in 1981, the two teams have usually met on the first Friday of October, which has certain significance since it is generally the same weekend that the Latter Day Saints Church holds its semiannual worldwide General Conference. The Aggies and Cougars currently plan to meet each other until the 2016 season.
By The Betting Numbers
Despite their loss last season as a whopping 21-point home favorite no less, BYU has gone 12-2 SU but just 4-10 ATS over the last 14 meetings against Utah State dating back to 1996. While the Aggies have won just two of the last seven meetings, the Aggies have compiled a nearly unblemished 6-1 ATS Mark during the stretch. BYU will take on Utah State on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015.
