Baylor vs. BYU picks, predictions: Who wins Week 2 college football game Saturday?
The Baylor Bears face the BYU Cougars in Provo, Utah in a Week 2 college football game on Saturday.
Which team will win the game?
Check out these picks and predictions for the game, which is scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. MST and can be seen on ESPN.
BYU is a 3.5-point favorite in the game, according to Tipico Sportsbook.
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Sportsnaut: Baylor 27, BYU 20
Matt Johnson writes: "Baylor smashed BYU for three quarters last season, holding a 31-14 lead and then a 38-17 lead before the Cougars scored a garbage-time touchdown. It would be one thing if the Bears were a three-point favorite, because LaVell Edwards Stadium provides an incredible home-field advantage. But everything we’ve seen in the past year suggests Baylor is the more talented and better-coached team and they’ll win more times than not no matter where this matchup takes place."
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Sporting News: Baylor 30, BYU 26
Bill Bender writes: "A reason to stay up late. The Bears beat the Cougars 38-24 last year, but the road rematch will be tougher and the line has ticked up a half-point in the Cougars' favor. A strong running game and a tough offensive line travels well. Baylor is 1-5 S/U as a road underdog under Dave Aranda, but we think this is the break-through game."
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Heartland College Sports: BYU 33, Baylor 30
Matthew Postins writes: "The longer Baylor walks around with a target on its back, the harder these games are going to get. BYU is not only out to prove it’s worth being ranked higher than No. 25, it’s out to prepare for the Big 12 next season. Beating Baylor is the perfect way to show they’re Big 12-ready. This will likely be the best game of the entire day in the Big 12. I’m taking BYU, but I could see Baylor winning by the same margin."
Pac-12 football Week 2 picks, predictions:
Sports Chat Place: Take Baylor with the points vs. BYU
It writes: "I’m going to try Baylor here. We should have a pretty fun matchup in store however, and it’ll obviously be more evenly-matched than either team’s last outing. Baylor posted 573 total yards versus an overmatched Albany squad, adding 8.4 yards per play, 29 first downs and just two punts in the rout. The eight penalties were unwelcome but other than that there isn’t much to complain about. As for BYU, they bagged 575 total yards themselves against USF, posting 8.3 yards per play and 27 first downs. Baylor should serve as a nice test to see where this Cougars team is sitting, and I think it’ll be a close one most of the way."
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Picks and Parlays: BYU 28, Baylor 23
It writes: "Baylor took care of business easily on Saturday by defeating Albany but will face a much tougher BYU squad on Saturday in Provo. BYU defeated South Florida on Saturday and the Cougars tough defense will put the Baylor Bears to the test. BYU has covered the number in seven of its last eight versus an opponent from Big 12 and the Cougars have covered the nut in four of the last six at home on a Saturday."
Odds Checker: Take BYU on the moneyline vs. Baylor
Matt MacKay writes:"Baylor has extremely high aspirations after a fairytale 2021 season. BYU is licking its wounds from an embarrassing loss in its bowl game last offseason and they took it out against USF last weekend by hopping out to a 38-0 lead before halftime. I'll side with the team who has the more experienced quarterback, the superior running back, and a talented offensive line. Don't forget that BYU lost 38-24 to Baylor last year after starting the season 5-1, effectively ruining their chances of competing in a New Years bowl game. Factor in the hostile environment in Provo and this matchup suddenly becomes a revenge-game narrative. Give the Cougars the edge in what should be a competitive game until the final whistle."
ESPN: Baylor has a 57.6% chance to win the game
The site gives BYU a 42.4% chance to win the Week 2 college football game in Provo.
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Baylor vs. BYU picks, predictions Week 2 college football game
