BYU Looks To Find New Identity Against Central Florida
BYU’s season is devastated, and they have lost their identity. They were defeated by Utah State last week and their Heisman-contending quarterback, Taysom Hill, is now out for the season with a broken leg. It is not going to be easy for BYU as they prepare to take on Central Florida away from home.
BYU will put the ball in the hands of senior Christian Stewart who threw three interceptions last week. With the loss of Hill and Stewart’s shakey play last week, they come into this game as -3.5 underdogs. They have been listed as underdogs all week on the sports books, opening at -3 points.
With Hill, BYU covered the spread in it first two games of the season and have opened as double-digit favorites in four of their five games this season. However, with Hill’s absence the team seems a bit lost and the odds reflect that.
Bettors hope for BYU covering the spread is based on emotion rather than solid numbers. There is a chance that the team will rally around the absence of their popular quarterback and pull out the upset.
BYU are 4-1 on the season and 2-3 against the spread.
Central Florida has been hot at home. They are 8-3 against the spread over its last 11 games played in Orlando. The Knights have also won their last two games, one straight up and the other against the spread, since they dropped one in Missouri three weeks ago. They are coming off an upset win, 17-12, against Houston. They were 2.5 point underdogs in that game.
Defense has been the name of the game for Central Florida. They intercepted two of Houston’s quarterback’s passes and recovered a fumble. With the sloppy play of Stewart in his last time on the field, Central Florida could cause all kinds of trouble.
The Knights are 2-2 against the spread this season.
Central Florida is 1-3 on the Over/Under, while BYU is 2-2-1. The total is set at 47 points at most sports books.
The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday. Â You can watch it on ESPN.
