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BYU vs. USF Week 1 College Football Picks: New Coach Will Lead to Improved Bulls Defense

College football Week 1 picks for BYU vs. USF on September 3.

Mike Spector

Last Updated: September 11, 2024 2:30 PM EDT • 3 minute read

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The BYU Cougars are one of the few ranked teams opening on the road. Let's break down the betting with our BYU-USF picks.

BYU is coming off of back-to-back double-digit win seasons for the first time in over a decade. It will be tested early, as this game is the only one of the school's first three that's not against a ranked opponent.

Here are our top Week 1 college football BYU-USF picks (odds via BetMGM and DraftKings Sportsbook; Pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

BYU vs. USF Picks

BYU vs. USF ML Pick

BYU -11 (-110) ★

BYU is beginning its final season as an independent program before becoming a Big 12 team next year. The school used that flexibility with its scheduling to play No. 10 Baylor and No. 11 Oregon over the next two weeks. Thus, there will be an emphasis on looking sharp in this game. That effort will be made easier with the return of quarterback Jaren Hall, who threw for 2,583 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2021.

Meanwhile, the Bulls won two games last season. They beat Florida A&M and Temple, and the latter was the league's worst team. They're not ready to make the jump to being competitive against a ranked team right out of the gate.

BYU vs. USF O/U Pick

Under 58.5 (-110) ★★★★

The biggest reason for USF’s struggles in 2021 was a poor defense that allowed 480 yards per game. However, hiring Bob Shoop as the new defensive coordinator should pay immediate dividends. He's led two defenses (Penn State in 2014 and Mississippi State in 2018) to top-two finishes in the country in total defense.

Shoop should immediately change the mindset of a defense that couldn't get off the field in 2021. That will result in a lower-scoring game in the opener.

BYU vs. USF Prop Pick

USF first-half Spread +7 (-115) ★★★★

USF is 7-1 against the spread in its last eight games played in the state of Florida. While the travel for BYU going across the country isn't as impactful in Week 1 as it would be in the middle of the season, the heat and humidity still could require an adjustment.

Additionally, a spark from Baylor transfer quarterback Gerry Bohanon will help ignite USF's offense early. But expect the Cougars to pull away late, with the urgency to play well heading into the showdown against Baylor being the catalyst.

Where to Bet on BYU-USF Picks

SEE ALSO: All picks, odds, and sports betting news. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com’s community forums and betting tools.

BYU-USF picks made 9/2/2022 at 6:10 a.m. ET

Written by:
Mike Spector

Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike leans on his NFL experience and always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”