BYU vs. Texas Prediction, Pick, Odds: Will Jonathon Brooks, Longhorns Put Up Points With Quinn Ewers Out?
The BYU Cougars head to Texas to take on the Longhorns in Week 9. Will Jonathan Brooks and the Longhorns put up points With Quinn Ewers out with a shoulder injury? NCAAF handicapper Matt MacKay shares his prediction and pick for Texas vs. BYU.
Matt MacKay - October 23, 2023, 10:34 AM EDT
7 minBYU vs. Texas Prediction, Pick, Odds: Will Jonathon Brooks, Longhorns Put Up Points With Quinn Ewers Out?
We're already in Week 9 of the 2023 college football season, as we continue to get closer to sorting out the College Football Playoff picture. Texas is No. 7 and sitting at 6-1, however, since dropping their only game outright to Oklahoma a few weeks ago, the Longhorns haven't looked nearly as dominant as they did during their statement road win over Alabama in Week 2.
BYU is 5-2 SU with quarterback Kedon Slovis under center, starting off 3-0 until hitting Big 12 conference play, where they have gone 2-2, losing 38-27 to Kansas and 44-11 in a rout on the road against TCU. Now, the Cougars will travel to Austin for yet another road contest at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
Will the Longhorns continue to churn out wins despite failing to cover? Or will BYU's 74th-ranked FBS offense allow Texas to record a strong win to pad its resumé? NCAAF handicapper Matt MacKay is back to share his prediction and pick for Texas vs. BYU.
BYU vs. Texas Date, Time, and Where To Watch
- Date: Saturday, October 29, 2023
- Game Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: ABC
BYU vs. Texas Odds
- Spread: BYU +17.5 (-110), Texas -17.5 (-110)
- Total Odds: Under 51.5 (-105), Over 51.5 (-115)
- Moneyline Odds: BYU (+610), Texas (-950)
BYU vs. Texas Injury Report
BYU
Questionable: WR Keanu Hill (Undisclosed),
Out: LB Ben Bywater (Shoulder), S Talan Alfrey (Undisclosed)
Texas
Questionable: QB Quinn Ewers (Shoulder), DB Ryan Watts (Lower Body), OL Jake Majors (Ankle)
Out: OL Cole Hutson (Knee), DL Kristopher Ross (Undisclosed)
BYU vs. Texas Prediction
It's been a relatively low-scoring affair in games where Texas is involved. The Longhorns have cashed the under in five of seven games, while all three of their home games played have gone under the point total line, averaging 47.3 points per game.
Last week, Houston's high-flying passing attack kept them in the contest, but Texas' offense only managed to score 31 points after scoring 21 in the first half. BYU's defense is tough against the run, but they've surrendered three to four passing touchdowns in three of its past four games.
The Longhorns and head coach Steve Sarkisian will definitely try to establish the run and test BYU's run defense early. Quarterback Quinn Ewers is dealing with a shoulder injury, so even if he plays, Texas could revert to its strong assembly of running backs, led by Jonathon Brooks. Of course, if that stalls, the Longhorns can deploy their passing attack with Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell, while playing highly recruited quarterback, Arch Manning, if necessary.
17.5 is a pretty big spread to cover, especially for Texas, who have failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games in October. The Longhorns have the nation's 17th-ranked defense in terms of points per game allowed (17.4) and BYU's offense has struggled to produce points like it did prior to conference play beginning. Since the Cougars began playing Big 12 opponents, they have scored 27 or fewer points in three of four games.
This feels like a game where the Longhorns will win by a double-digit margin, yet fail to cover. Texas has only scored 40 points once this season, while scoring 30-31 points in three of seven games. BYU went 15-of-34 against TCU with its passing attack, while averaging just 2.8 YPC, scoring only one touchdown against the Horned Frogs and it will be similar sledding against the Longhorns' defense.
Let's invest a unit on the point total under 51.5 at -115 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.
BYU vs. Texas Pick
- Under 51.5 (-115) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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