Bodog Beat

BYU has won 4 straight games and when playing within the conference are 8-2. (AP Images)

Saturday’s Mountain West showdown between TCU and BYU is the lone game of the weekend matching two ranked teams. And it could be sweet revenge for the Cougars, as they were a top-10 unbeaten and BCS bowl hopeful last year (as TCU currently is) when they were trounced by the Horned Frogs. However, the visitors are favored by 2½ on Bodog’s college football odds.

Bet on college football at Bodog!
Don't have a Bodog account? Join now. It's FREE.

Really these two teams couldn’t be much more different. TCU is a defense-driven team that relies heavily on the run game. The Frogs are 11th in the country in averaging 225 yards on the ground per game and are fourth in total defense, sixth in sacks, eighth against the run, ninth against the pass and 10th in scoring defense. Under coach Gary Patterson, the Frogs are 6-6 against ranked teams.

BYU, as usual, is a passing team. QB Max Hall is fourth in the nation in efficiency and third in passing yards. RB Harvey Unga is a threat, as he leads the Mountain West Conference in rushing. But the Cougars were held to just 23 yards rushing in last year’s 32-7 loss to TCU.

Playing at home should be a big boost for BYU when placing those college football bets. The Cougars have won 13 conference games in a row in Provo and are 2-1 against TCU all-time at home. What they have never done is beat two top-10 teams in one season, which the Cougars would accomplish with a win Saturday.

Under coach Bronco Mendenhall, BYU is 2-6 against ranked foes, but the Cougars thrive when leading at halftime, winning 38 of the past 42 in that scenario. They also win the close games, taking the past nine games that have been decided by seven points or less.

Get all your college football betting at Bodog Sportsbook.