SP+ Predicts BYU at West Virginia
After a loss to Texas, BYU travels to Morgantown to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers. The Cougars are 5-3 overall and 2-3 in conference play. West Virginia, coming off a win over UCF, is 5-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play. BYU opened as an eight-point underdog against West Virginia according to most sportsbooks.
SP+, a predictive algorithm created by ESPN's Bill Connelly, cemented its prediction for BYU-West Virginia earlier this week. SP+ gives BYU a 40% chance to pull off the upset against the Mountaineers with an expected final score of 29-25. SP+ is higher on BYU's chances than the ESPN FPI algorithm. FPI gives BYU a 29% chance to beat the Mountaineers.
Credit: BYU Photo
The Last Time BYU Played West Virginia
BYU and West Virginia have faced each other only time. That game happened in 2016 in Kalani Sitake's first season as BYU's head coach. The Cougars trailed most of the game and they trailed by as many as 16 points in the fourth quarter. BYU scored a couple touchdowns to get back in the game, but the comeback attempt fell short. Taysom Hill threw an interception in the end zone on the last drive of the game and BYU lost 32-35.
Jamaal Williams and Taysom Hill led a BYU rushing attack that finished with 280 total rushing yards. Williams led all rushers with 169 yards on 24 carries and Hill added 105 yards on 14 carries.
West Virginia was led by quarterback Skyler Howard. Howard finished with 332 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception.
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