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SALT LAKE CITY — BYU and Utah dive into conference play this week, while Utah State gets one final tune-up game against James Madison.
Make your picks here.
BYU (3-0) at Kansas (3-0)
Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1:30 p.m. MDT (ESPN)
The time has come for BYU to get its first taste of Big 12 football.
Why BYU will win: The Cougars aren't favored to win on the road this week, but they weren't last week either when they upset Arkansas 38-31.
Kedon Slovis threw for two touchdowns last week, and freshman running back LJ Martin showed why coaches trusted him to be the featured back with two scores on the ground. The offense seems to be hitting its stride just in time to match up with a Jayhawk attack averaging 500 yards per game.
Why Kansas will win: Quarterback Jalon Daniels and running back Devin Neal lead a Kansas offense that has yet to score less than 31 points this season.
Daniels has 575 passing yards on the season with one interception, while Neal already has five touchdowns. You may want to take the over on this one, folks.
Line: Kansas -9.0
Over/under: 55.5
No. 22 UCLA (3-0) at No. 11 Utah (3-0)
Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1:30 p.m. MDT (FOX)
The swan song of the Pac-12 as we know it begins with a big one in Salt Lake City.
Why UCLA will win: The Bruins have upped their scoring total each week and average 527 yards of total offense through three games.
Quarterback Dante Moore has seven touchdown passes and just one interception, and the Bruins defense has yet to allow more than 13 points to an opponent.
Why Utah will win: You may want to take the under on this one, as Utah has also yet to allow more than 13 points this season.
A surprisingly tight first half last week against Weber State gave way to a second-half shutout for the Utes, who are knocking on the College Football Playoff door without Cam Rising playing a single snap so far.
Line: Utah -4.5
Over/under: 52.5
No. 14 Oregon State (3-0) at No. 21 Washington State (3-0)
Saturday, Sept. 23 at 5 p.m. MDT (FOX)
The early surprises of the season in the Pac-12 face off in a battle of the "states."
Why Oregon State will win: Former Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei is lighting it up with 630 passing yards in three games to go along with six scores.
The Beavers defense held its last two opponents to under 10 points, and a balanced offense is averaging 247 passing yards and 219 rushing yards thanks in large part to running back Damien Martinez putting up 351 yards in three games.
Why Washington State will win: Uiagalelei has been solid for Oregon State, but Washington State's Cameron Ward has been superb.
The junior transfer from Incarnate Word has nine touchdown passes on 986 yards and no interceptions through three games. The Cougars offense is averaging 397 yards through the air and will test the limits of the Beavers defense.
Line: Oregon State -3.0
Over/under: 57.5
No. 6 Ohio State (3-0) at No. 9 Notre Dame (4-0)
Saturday, Sept. 23 at 5:30 p.m. MDT (NBC)
It's a classic matchup in primetime between the Buckeyes and the Fighting Irish.
Why Ohio State will win: The perennial powerhouse is undefeated and highly ranked to start the season, but has also yet to face a true test.
The defense looks legit, limiting all three opponents to 10 or fewer points. All eyes will be on junior signal caller Kyle McCord, who has six touchdown passes on the season so far, including three to receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Why Notre Dame will win: Sixth-year senior and Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman has the edge over McCord at quarterback, with an absurd 13 touchdowns on 1,061 yards already this season. The run game is just as potent, with Audric Estime putting up five touchdowns on 521 yards.
Line: Ohio State -3.0
Over/under: 55.5
James Madison (3-0) at Utah State (1-2)
Saturday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m.
The Aggies look to get back on track at home after a tough loss at Air Force.
Why James Madison will win: The Dukes are 3-0, but two of those wins came by 2 points or less.
JMU went to Troy and won 16-14 a week after defeating Virginia 36-35 the week before on a last-minute, game-winning touchdown. Former South Florida and Arizona quarterback Jordan McCloud leads the way with four passing touchdowns on 555 yards.
Why Utah State will win: Head coach Blake Anderson decided to make a quarterback change midway through last week's loss, and it looks like it will stick.
Skyridge alum McCae Hillstead will take over for the Aggies after putting up three touchdowns on 18-of-27 passing against Air Force. Utah State hopes the offense can find some of what helped it put up 78 points last time the Aggies played in Logan.
Line: JMU -6.5
Over/under: 52.5
Make your picks here.
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Caleb Turner
