The Stanford Cardinal takes on the BYU Cougars in Provo, Utah, on Saturday, Sept. 6. Kickoff is set for 10:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.
BYU is favored by -18.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -1000. Stanford, meanwhile, comes in at +900 to pull off the upset. The total is set at 46.5 points.
Here’s my Stanford vs. BYU prediction and college football picks for Saturday, September 6.
Stanford vs BYU Prediction
- Stanford vs. BYU Pick: BYU -20.5
My BYU vs. Stanford best bet is on the Cougars to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Stanford vs BYU Odds
| Stanford Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+20.5 -108 | 45.5 -110o / -110u | +900 |
| BYU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-20.5 -112 | 45.5 -110o / -110u | -1600 |
- Stanford vs BYU Spread: BYU -20.5, Stanford +20.5
- Stanford vs BYU Over/Under: 45.5
- Stanford vs BYU Moneyline: Stanford +900, BYU -1600
Stanford vs BYU College Football Betting Preview
Stanford Cardinal Betting Preview: Can Run Game Save the Tree?
Interim head coach Frank Reich had Stanford in position to secure a victory in the season opener before quarterback Ben Gulbranson was picked off on a screen pass. Stanford would go on to lose, 23-20, at Hawaii.
For Gulbranson, an Oregon State transfer, the interception capped a dreadful Stanford debut, as he went 15-for-30 for 109 yards.
Stanford will be a heavy underdog for the majority of this season, and that will be the case this week as well.
It will have its hands full with a stingy BYU defense that ranked 19th in scoring defense and 20th in passing yards allowed per game last season.
Between the NFL Draft and the transfer portal, Stanford lost its top four pass-catchers from last season. It did bring in Wisconsin transfer CJ Williams, who will look to lead the group this season. He had three catches for 30 yards in the season opener.
The Cardinal may look to rely on their running game in order to sustain drives and control the clock.
Stanford picked up 185 rushing yards on 40 attempts from its running backs against Hawaii. Sophomore Micah Ford led the way with 113 yards and a touchdown.
Running the ball may also help the Cardinal protect its defense.
Last season, Stanford ranked 107th or worse in scoring defense, passing yards allowed and total defense.
This week, it should get back safety Scotty Edwards and cornerback Collin Wright, who both missed the season opener. They combined for 78 tackles and three interceptions last season.
BYU Cougars Betting Preview: Bear Down in Provo
Bear Bachmeier was a four-star recruit out of high school by multiple recruiting services. He wasn't expected to be the starter this season but was elevated to QB1 after Jake Retzlaff departed from the program.
In doing so, Bachmeier became the first true freshman quarterback to start a season opener in BYU's program history.
Head coach Kalani Sitake didn't ask a lot from his young signal-caller, but Bachmeier was very efficient when he did. He threw for three touchdowns in just 11 attempts to go along with 97 yards. He added 32 yards and two more scores on the ground.
Bachmeier became the first FBS player since Antwaan Randle El in 1998 to have three passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns in his debut.
One of his touchdowns went to Chase Roberts, a four-yarder, for his only catch of the day. While he was quiet last week, Roberts is one of the best returning receivers in the Big 12 after hauling in 52 receptions for 854 yards and four touchdowns last season.
The Cougars also returned leading rushing LJ Martin after he ran for 718 yards and seven touchdowns on 5.2 yards per carry a season ago. The redshirt junior is in search of his first 1,000-yard season, and he's well on his way after running for 131 yards on just eight carries.
The Cougars ran for 468 yards while outgaining Portland State, 608-53, in the process.
Stanford vs BYU Pick, Betting Analysis
Lavell Edwards Stadium is quietly one of the toughest places to play in the country.
Since the start of the 2023 season, BYU has gone 7-5-1 against the spread at home. It has won five of those games by 21 points or more, including one ATS loss.
Over that same span, Stanford is 9-15-1 against the spread, including four 21-point losses on the road.
In this matchup, I'm expecting BYU's defense to dominate at home and protect its young quarterback. Eventually, it will pull away for another easy home victory to move to 2-0 on the season.
Pick: BYU -20.5
