The BYU Cougars and the Texas Longhorns meet Saturday in college football action from Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. BYU is fresh off a weekend matchup versus Texas Tech. The Cougars went on to win by 13 points for a 5-2 record so far. As for 6-1 Texas, they played Houston in their most recent outing. In that one the Longhorns powered out a one-score win. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

BYU Cougars 

The Cougars got off to a reasonable start through their first half-dozen games this year at 4-2 overall. BYU kicked off the year with a series of wins over Sam Houston 14-0, Southern Utah 41-16 and Arkansas 38-31, but then lost to Kansas 38-27. The Cougars recovered with a 35-27 win versus Cincinnati the next week, then got blown out by TCU 44-11. 

In last weekend’s Texas Tech matchup, BYU was up 27-7 by the fourth quarter and cruised to a dominant 27-14 win. Quarterback Kedon Slovis finished with 127 yards and two scores. LJ Martin led the rush with 93 yards on 10 carries, and Darius Lassiter was the high man among the receivers with 47 yards and a score off four grabs. 

BYU Cougars Team Facts

• BYU has won three of its last four games as an underdog against AP-ranked teams.
• The home team has covered the spread in each of BYU’s last four games.
• BYU has won the first half in three of its last four games against conference opponents.
• Each of BYU’s last five road games have gone OVER the total points line.

Texas Longhorns 

Over on the Longhorns’ side, they opened up the 2023 season with five straight wins. Texas took out Rice 37-10, Alabama 34-24, Wyoming 31-10, Baylor 38-6 and Kansas 40-14. Game six was the Longhorns’ first loss however, dropping 34-30 to Oklahoma. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers managed 346 yards, one TD and two interceptions on 31-of-37 passing in the defeat. 

On Saturday versus Houston, Texas traded punches for most of the game, ultimately coming out on top with a nice 31-24 victory—thanks in part to a controversial late-game spot. Ewers managed 211 yards and two scores this time, while Jonathon Brooks led the rush on 99 yards from 20 carries. Xavier Worthy added six catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. 

Texas Longhorns Team Facts

• Texas has won each of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Texas has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games in October.
• Texas has won the first quarter in five of its last six games against conference opponents.
• Texas has won the first half in 10 of its last 13 games against conference opponents.
• Each of Texas’ last six October games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Texas are one of only two FBS teams undefeated in road games this season ([z-0]).
• Texas are one of only six FBS teams undefeated in home games this season ([z-0]).
• BYU are one of only six FBS teams undefeated in home games this season ([z-0]).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m probably still going to lean toward Texas here, but you could make a case either way. Both teams have a few things to work on after last weekend’s victories. Texas came up with 360 yards (219 passing), 19 first downs and zero turnovers in the big win over Houston. That said, the Longhorns also went just 3-of-12 on third-down tries and gave up 378 passing yards to the opposition. Still, considering Texas has hit 30 or more points in every game this year I imagine their offense will be on track in this one. 

As for BYU, their offense was pretty slow overall versus Texas Tech with 277 total yards (127 passing) and 12 first downs. The Cougars benefitted greatly from the Raiders’ five turnovers and nine penalties, though. This matchup will certainly be harder, and I don’t think BYU will keep pace.