The BYU Cougars and the Arkansas Razorbacks meet Saturday in college football action from Razorback Stadium. The Cougars played Southern Utah in their last appearance. In that one, BYU ended up winning in blowout fashion. As for Arkansas, they took on Kent State last weekend. The Razorbacks managed to win by 22 points there. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

BYU Cougars 

The Cougars’ first outing of the year was a pretty defense-heavy affair versus Sam Houston State. BYU scored once in the first quarter and again in the fourth to cap a 14-0 win. QB Kedon Slovis posted 145 yards, and Darius Lassiter caught four balls for 43 yards. LJ Martin added 91 yards off 16 carries to lead the rush. 

Last weekend versus Southern Utah, the Cougars scored 21 points in the second quarter during a 41-16 win. Slovis put up 348 yards, four touchdowns and a pick. Isaac Rex was the leading receiver on 112 yards and a score from four grabs, and Martin topped a weak rush with 27 yards. 

BYU Cougars Team Facts

BYU has won each of its last nine September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
The underdog has covered the spread in eight of BYU’s last nine games.
BYU has won the first half in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
BYU has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
Each of BYU’s last five road games against non-conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.

Arkansas Razorbacks 

Over on the Razorbacks’ side, they were up 35-3 at halftime in their opener game versus Western Carolina. Arkansas would end up cruising to a 56-13 blowout win. Quarterback KJ Jefferson finished with 246 yards and three scores. Raheim Sanders led the rush with 42 yards and two touchdowns, and Jaedon Wilson had 83 yards with one touchdown from three catches. 

In game two versus Kent State, Arkansas scored a touchdown in each quarter on the way to a 28-6 win. Jefferson put up 136 yards with two scores on 13-of-19 passing. AJ Green led the rush on 82 yards, and Isaac TeSlaa had three catches for 51 yards to top the receivers. 

Arkansas Razorbacks Team Facts

Arkansas has won each of its last seven September games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
The underdog has covered the spread in each of Arkansas’ last four games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Arkansas has won the first half in four of its last five games against opponents from the Big 12 Conference.
Arkansas has won the first quarter in four of its last five games against opponents from the Big 12 Conference.
Seven of Arkansas’ last eight games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Arkansas ranked T21st among FBS teams for Q2 win percentage last season (.615).
Arkansas ranked T25th among FBS teams for Q4 win percentage last season (.538).
BYU ranked T12th among FBS teams for Q1 points per game last season (8.9).
BYU ranked T16th among FBS teams for Q1 win percentage last season (.615).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably lean toward Arkansas in this one. The Razorbacks didn’t have any trouble with Western Carolina in their opener this year, bagging 379 total yards, 21 first downs, 6.2 yards per play and zero turnovers. Arkansas kept the Catamounts to just 64 rushing yards on the other side and generated five turnovers. In game two the Razorbacks had a pretty well-rounded win, even though it wasn’t quite a runaway blowout. Arkansas had 308 total yards (172 rushing), zero turnovers and went 9-of-14 on third downs. The Razorbacks offense should get a stouter test here but I think they’ll be fine cover-wise, especially if BYU has trouble running the ball again (46 rush yards in game two).