BYU vs Michigan preview, predictions, betting odds, live stream info

By Duncan Smith | Sep 24, 2015

BYU vs Michigan preview, predictions, betting odds and live stream info.

The No. 22 BYU Cougars do battle with the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday at Michigan Stadium. BYU will be led by freshman quarterback Tanner Mangum, who was forced into action when starter Taysom Hill went down with a season ending injury in their opening game against Nebraska. Mangum has completed 54 of his 86 passes through three games, and passed for 664 yards and four touchdowns against three interceptions.

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BYU will also feature leading rusher Adam Hine, who has rushed for 279 yards and two touchdowns on 46 carries, and wide receivers Mitchell Juergens, who has 13 catches for 244 yards, and Mitch Mathews who has 17 catches for 185 yards.

Michigan will counter with fifth-year senior Jake Rudock, who transferred from Iowa this past offseason. Rudock has completed 65% of his passes so far this year, and thrown for 582 yards and three touchdowns against five interceptions. Rudock has been a little less efficient than expected, having thrown five interceptions in three games, but his completion percentage is a touch better than his career mark was at Iowa, which was just over.

Also in the backfield for the Wolverines will be running backs De’Veon Smith, who has carried the ball 53 times for 206 yards and three touchdowns, and Ty Isaac, who transferred before last season from USC. Isaac may have earned himself a closer look after last week’s performance, where he ran eight times for 114, including a 76-yard scamper for a score.

Details for Saturday’s game are below:

Date: September 26th

Start Time: Noon EST

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Stadium: Michigan Stadium

TV Info: ABC

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Radio: BYU, Michigan

Ticket information: For BYU ticket info click here. For Michigan ticket info click here.

Keys to Victory

BYU will need to protect Mangum from Michigan’s pass rush. The Cougars are tied for last in the NCAA with 12 sacks given up through three games, and that’s a dangerous trend against Michigan. If they can put the young freshman quarterback on the ground a few times early, the pass rush and the Michigan Stadium crowd may overwhelm the young man. It will be vital for BYU to keep him on his feet and not let the Michigan defense run downhill towards him.

Michigan needs to control the ball and time of possession. The Wolverines aren’t going to win any shootouts against quality competition right now, and BYU is certainly quality opposition. Michigan will need to protect the ball and not make any mistakes that backs up their defense and gives BYU short fields to work with. If they can control the game, play at their tempo and eliminate mistakes, they should be able to win this game at home against a ranked opponent.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Michigan -4.5

Moneyline: Michigan -220

O/U: 45.0

Prediction

Michigan’s defense and running game are their most critical components, and Saturday’s game will be no different. If they can keep BYU’s offense off the field, this is their game for the taking.

Final Score: Michigan: 27, BYU: 20

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