SMU vs. BYU Prediction, Odds, Lines, Picks, and Preview - December 17

Two of the hottest teams in the country, the SMU Mustangs and the BYU Cougars, face off in the New Mexico Bowl. Halfway through the season, the Mustangs' hopes of Bowl eligibility were on life support.

SMU was under .500, and things around the program looked bleak. SMU took off in the 2nd half of the year, winning four of their final five games. Similarly, the BYU Cougars were also under .500 halfway through their schedule.

BYU have impressively won their last three games. The critical factor for both teams' success was a high-powered offense that overwhelmed the opposition. The New Mexico Bowl has all the ingredients for a shootout in Albuquerque. Will the SMU Mustangs outrun the Cougars, or will BYU end their season on a four-game winning streak?

The betting odds and predictions are below:

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SMU Mustangs vs. BYU Cougars Details

Fixture: SMU Mustangs @ BYU Cougars

Date and Time: Saturday, December 17, 7:30 PM ET

Venue: University Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico

SMU Mustangs vs. BYU Cougars Best Pick

I mentioned in the opening how explosive both of these teams have been down the stretch. SMU led the American Athletic Conference in scoring while averaging close to 500 yards of offense per game.

I don't see the Cougars' defense slowing down the Mustangs. During their three-game win streak to end the season, BYU averaged 39 points per game while averaging 450 yards per game. I don't see the SMU defense slowing down the BYU offense.

With both offenses playing at a high level and rolling on all cylinders, I would take the Over on the passing yards prop for either team in this one.

SMU or BYU Team Total: Passing Yards, Over

SMU Mustangs vs. BYU Cougars Final Prediction

We have a marquee match-up of Quarterbacks in this one, with SMU's Tanner Mordecai dueling it out with BYU's Jaren Hall.

The stat line for each QB is eerily similar. Both signal-callers threw for 31 TD, Mordecai threw nine interceptions to Hall's six, and both players avoid mistakes and take care of the football.

The X-factor in this game is WR Rashee Rice. Rice dominated the opposition this season with 1,355 yards and ten touchdowns. If there is a player that can change this game with a big play, it would be Rashee Rice. In a close match-up, I'm going to lean in the favor of the Mustangs.

SMU Mustangs -4 (-110)

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