Western Michigan vs BYU 2018 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Odds & Pick

Western Michigan vs BYU 2018 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Odds & Pick

Written by on December 17, 2018

NCAA Football Betting News
The Brigham Young Cougars will look to close out their season in style when they take on the  Western Michigan Broncos in the 2018

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Friday afternoon. With BYU a decisive double-digit favorite in this matchup, let’s find out if the Cougars can get the win and ATS cover or whether the Broncos are the better pick.

Western Michigan vs BYU 2018 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Odds & Pick

Weather Forecast

  • Chance of Thunderstorm: 4°C/39°F
  • Humidity: 58%
  • Precipitation: 1%
  • Wind: 8 mph NNW
  • Cloud Cover: 32%
  • Type of Stadium: Open

Why Bet on Western Michigan at +12.5?

Why should you consider betting on the Broncos in the 2018 Idaho Potato Bowl? The best reason is because Western Michigan has the far more explosive offense in this contest. Another great reason is because Western Michigan also showed some serious fortitude this season after  starting quarterback Jon Wassink went down for the season. The Broncos come into this bowl game affair off a hard-fought 28-21 win over Northern Illinois on Nov. 20. The Broncos average 33.2 points per game (36th) while allowing 33.3 points per contest defensively (103rd).

Team Statistics

Offense:
  • Average Score For: 33.17
  • Total Yards: 448.83
  • Pass Yards: 243.83
  • Rush Yards: 205
Defense:
  • Average Score Against: 33.33
  • Total Yards: 378
  • Pass Yards: 209.33
  • Rush Yards: 168.67

Why Bet On BYU at -12.5?

Why should you consider betting on the Cougars as a double-digit favorite in this matchup? The best reason is because the Cougars have an elite defense. In addition to that, BYU also has some motivation after dropping their regular season finale 35-27 against Utah on Nov. 24 as a 10.5-point favorite. Finally, BYU has some more motivation after seeing their 12-year bowl streak snapped a year ago. The Cougars average a modest 25.4  points per game (94th) while allowing just 21.7 points per contest defensively (28th).

Team Statistics

Offense:
  • Average Score For: 25.42
  • Total Yards: 354.50
  • Pass Yards: 199.58
  • Rush Yards: 154.92
Defense:
  • Average Score Against: 21.67
  • Total Yards: 326
  • Pass Yards: 195.17
  • Rush Yards: 130.83

2018 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Betting Trends

  • Western Michigan is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
  • Western Michigan is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Western Michigan’s last 6 games
  • Brigham Young is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Brigham Young’s last 5 games

Expert Analysis and Prediction for Western Michigan vs BYU

53 percent of the betting public likes Western Michigan in this contest and it’s easy for me to see why. BYU has been wildly inconsistent all season long and the Cougars struggle to score. I know BYU plays in a much tougher conference and they play better competition, but Western Michigan has the far better offense and they should easily cover the big spread in this contest.

BYU is 2-6 ATS in their last eight neutral site games and a winless 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Bowl games. Western Michigan is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game and 15-7 ATS in their last 22 games after racking up more than 280 yards passing in their previous game. I like BYU to eke out the narrow win, but the ATS cover in this one definitely goes to Western Michigan.

2018 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Pick: BYU 27 Western Michigan 24