SMU vs. BYU 2022 New Mexico Bowl Odds, Preview & Pick

By Hank Blaine • December 16, 2022

Two college football teams with excellent offenses step onto the field at University Stadium in Albuquerque on Saturday for the 2022 New Mexico Bowl. SMU is the -3.5 chalk. Money appears to be going the opposite direction and onto BYU. Will the Cougars get it done as the slight dog? Or will the Mustangs prevail as the slight favorite?

Before everything else, NitroBetting arms you with everything you need to kick things off on a positive note. Below, we provide event details, team andplayer statistics, and the latest NCAAF odds. More than that, we go the extra mile and share timely betting trends and predictions that help you secure the best picks. Check out for more sports betting odds and lines, exclusively at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

SMU vs. BYU 2022 New Mexico Bowl Game Information

headed to work. pic.twitter.com/mLmX1FS7OR
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 15, 2022

When: Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 pm ET
Where: University Stadium, Albuquerque, NM
TV: ABC
Radio: The Ticket” 1310 AM (SMU) // KSL 102.7 FM (BYU)

Live Stream

WatchESPN

College Footall Odds: SMU (-4) // BYU (+4)

Why Bet on the SMU Mustangs?

The Roadrunners boast one of the nation’s top offenses. UTSA averages 486.2 yards per game, ranking ninth in college football. The Roadrunners rank twelfth in passing yards per game at 308.6. Quarterback Frank Harris has thrown for 3,865 yards and 31 TDs. Harris completes over 71% of his passes. Harris has also rushed for 588 yards and 9 touchdowns. No doubt, Frank is the reason the Roadrunners rank twelfth in points per game at 38.7. Also, Texas-San Antonio’s offense has just 7 turnovers on the season.

The Roadrunners offense has to score points because the defense hasn’t had a great season. UTSA’s D allows over 408 total yards per game, ranking ninetieth in NCAAF.

Opponents average 26.5 points per game. The good news regarding the D is that Trey Moore has 6 sacks and Clifford Chatman has 4 interceptions. Overall, the team has 13 takeaways this season, ranking a nice twenty-sixth in the nation.

Why Bet on the BYU Cougars?

Troy’s offense doesn’t rank better than forty-eighth in any category. But the O has done what’s required for the Trojans to go 11-2 this season.

The Trojans average 26.2 points from 375 yards per game. Troy runs a balanced offense. The Trojans average 252.5 passing yards and 122.5 rushing yards per game.

Running back Kimani Vidal has rushed for 1,059 yards. Vidal has also caught 24 passes for 133 yards.

Troy’s offense doesn’t have to be spectacular because the defense rocks. The Trojans’ D ranks eighth in points allowed per game at 17.5.

Opponents average 324.9 total yards per game, ranking twenty-eighth. T.J. Jackson terrorized quarterbacks during the regular season with 8 sacks. Reddy Steward has 3 interceptions.

SMU vs. BYU Betting Trends

Roadrunners are 5-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
UTSA is 13-5 ATS versus a team with a winning record.
Over is 5-0 in Texas-San Antonio’s last 5 non-conference games.
Trojans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games.
Troy is 4-0 ATS versus a team with a winning record.
Under is 7-1 in Troy’s last 8 games on grass.

SMU vs. BYU Expert Betting Predictions

Trends suggest both squads will struggle to win and cover the spread. Not only that, but neither team will field a decent defense, which is why the total in this game opened at 73.5.

The total has since taken a massive drop to 68.5. The reason? SMU’s top offensive player, receiver Rashee Rice, won’t play in this due to a broken toe.

Without Rice, we’re left wondering who will catch Tanner Mordecai’s throws. Rice caught 96, so his absence will have an impact on how well SMU moves the ball.

BYU has other issues. The Cougars may have to play this game without quarterback Jaren Hall. BYU’s starting signal-caller lists as doubtful for this bowl game.

Without Hall, BYU could end up struggling to move the pigskin. So what do the key injuries mean to college football handicappers?

Losing your best wide receiver is big but losing your starting quarterback is huge. Backup Jacob Conover threw a single pass in the victory over Stanford in BYU’s final regular season game.

Mordecai will adjust

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*All stated odds are subject to change without prior notice.