2022 BYU Cougars Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions

2022 BYU COUGARS BETTING ODDS, PREDICTIONS, PREVIEW

It’s crazy to think that Kalani Sitake was considered to be on the hot seat just a couple years ago. After going 9-4 in his first season, Sitake went 18-21 from 2017 to 2019 and needed a strong campaign in 2020 in order to keep his job. BYU delivered with its best season since 1996, and the Cougars went 11-1 while hammering strong Group of Five programs like Houston, Boise State, San Diego State, and UCF.

BYU was considered likely to take a step backwards in 2021 without No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson under center. The Cougars started unproven Jaren Hall at quarterback, and he rose to the occasion in a big way. That led to BYU going 10-3 in what was supposed to be a down year, as the Cougars beat five Pac 12 teams and Virginia. While the Cougars have another daunting schedule for an independent in 2022, they could be poised to finish with double-digit wins for the third straight season.

Updated on 12/21/2024

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Hall leads an offense that returns eight starters from last year. He averaged 8.7 YPA with 20 touchdowns against just five interceptions in 2021, and he ran for 5.0 YPC as the team’s second leading rusher. His mobility meant that he was sacked just 13 times, and he will be hard to bring down again this season with four starters returning along the offensive line.

It won’t be easy to replace Tyler Allgeier, but the Cougars landed California transfer Christopher Brooks in the portal. Brooks is a bruiser at 6’1 and 235 pounds, and he should be able to wear down opposing defenses. BYU had a ton of success running the ball in 2021, and that should continue this season.

The Cougars struck gold when they brought in Puka Nacua from Washington last offseason, as he became their best receiver by a mile. Nacua is a deep threat and pairs well with fellow starting wide out Gunner Romney.

This defense was below average in 2021, but it could be one of the most improved units this season as 11 starters and nearly the entire two-deep returns on this side of the ball. The key for BYU will be stopping the run, as the Cougars really struggled to do that at times last year. BYU allowed 4.5 YPC and 163.5 YPG on the ground, ranking in the bottom half of the country in those categories.

Ben Bywater led the team in tackles and tackles for loss last season, and the linebacking corps will get a big boost with the return of Keenan Pili from season-ending injury. The projected starting secondary is full of experienced seniors, but the most talented player might be Vanderbilt transfer Gabe Jeudy-Lally.

BYU does have a difficult schedule to traverse with games against Baylor, Oregon, Notre Dame, Arkansas, and Boise State. Only two of those games will be on the road though as the Cougars are enough of a brand name to draw big name opponents to Provo. The Cougars only have a handful of gimmes, yet the Over is still the play provided the defensive line can stop the run better than we saw last season.

Best Bet: Over 8.5 Wins (-135)

2022 BYU COUGARS SCHEDULE

• Sat., Sept. 3 - at USF
• Sat., Sept. 10 - vs. Baylor
• Sat., Sept. 17 - at Oregon
• Sat., Sept. 24 - vs. Wyoming
• Thu., Sept. 29 - vs. Utah State
• Sat., Oct. 8 - vs. Notre Dame*
• Sat., Oct. 15 - vs. Arkansas
• Sat., Oct. 22 - at Liberty
• Fri., Oct. 28 - vs. ECU
• Sat., Nov. 5 - at Boise State
• Sat., Nov. 19 - vs. Dixie State
• Sat., Nov. 26 - at Stanford

WIN TOTAL ODDS

• Over 8.5 (-135)
• Under 8.5 (+115)

BYU COUGARS ODDS TO WIN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

+20000

The Cougars are one of the few teams outside the Power Five that could actually make it to the CFP. BYU has won a national championship in the recent past, and the Cougars play a legitimately difficult schedule. Baylor and Oregon are recent conference champions, and Notre Dame has recently been in the mix. If BYU manages to run the table, the Cougars could very well be playing on New Year’s Eve, so 200-1 is a nice price here.

BYU COUGARS 2022 HEISMAN CONTENDERS & ODDS

Jaren Hall (QB) +20000

There’s a lot more value betting on BYU to win the national championship than there is in betting on Jaren Hall to win the Heisman. The Cougars are going to run the ball a lot, and he just won’t post the flashy numbers needed to outshine other quarterbacks. Hall didn’t throw for more than 350 yards in any game last season. 

2021 BYU COUGARS BETTING RESULTS

• SU: 10-3
• ATS: 5-8
• O/U: 6-7
• ATS-Home: 4-3
• ATS-Road: 1-5
• ATS-Favorite: 3-7
• ATS-Underdog: 2-1

MORE CONFERENCE ODDS