| MATCHUP | Utah Tech Trailblazers | BYU Cougars |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 0-1 | 0-0 |
| Where | LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT | |
| When | Saturday, September 5, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
BYU Preview
BYU finished last season with a 12-2 overall record, an 8-1 conference record, and placed 2nd in the Big 12 Conference. They had a 6-0 home record and a 5-1 road record.Offensively, the Cougars scored 31.4 points per game (ranking 32nd in the nation). Defensively, Brigham Young allowed 19.1 points per game (ranking 19th in the nation). They averaged 399.5 total yards per game (178.1 rushing, 221.4 passing) and gave up 332.4 total yards per game (122.7 rushing, 209.7 passing).
Bear Bachmeier led the Cougars with 251/387 completed passes and 3,033 total passing yards, throwing 15 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. LJ Martin led the team in rushing yards with 1,305, adding a team-high 12 rushing touchdowns, while Chase Roberts had a team-high 54 caught passes for 802 receiving yards and 6 receiving touchdowns. Defensively, Faletau Satuala led the team with 84 total tackles (47 solo), while Jack Kelly led Brigham Young in sacks with 10.0.
Utah Tech Preview
The Trailblazers are coming off a 0-54 home defeat by the Montana State Bobcats, where they were outgained by their opponents 447-227 yards and had 62 total plays. Utah Tech had 169 passing yards, 58 rushing yards, and 19/33 completed passes, while losing the turnover battle by 2-0. The Trailblazers were 4/13 on third down conversions.
CJ Tiller led Utah Tech with 10/12 passes and 91 passing yards. Bronson Barben had a team-high 21 rushing yards, while Mike Williams caught 4 passes for a team-high 42 receiving yards. Defensively, Quincy Lejay led the Trailblazers with 11 total tackles, 7 of them solo, while Brandon Jackson had one sack.
Utah Tech Trailblazers @ BYU Cougars Betting Trends: Week 1
Why the BYU Cougars will win
- BYU has won each of its last 14 games against non-conference opponents.
- BYU has covered the spread in each of its last eight games against non-conference opponents.
- BYU has won the first half in each of its last seven games at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
- BYU has won the first quarter in each of its last eight September home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Why the Utah Tech Trailblazers will win
- The team ranked 14th in the AP Poll has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of BYU’s last six games against non-FBS teams have gone OVER the total points line.
BYU Cougars Player Prop Facts
- Evan Johnson ranked T7th amongst FBS players for interceptions (5) last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- BYU ranked 6th among FBS teams for red zone percentage against last season (70.4).
- BYU ranked T9th among FBS teams for interceptions last season (17).
Utah Tech vs BYU Prediction
In this Utah Tech vs BYU Prediction, BYU is coming as -51.5 home favorites. Utah Tech is coming off a terrible season in the FCS with a 2-10 record with an almost -14 point differential and will face an elite BYU squad that is coming off a dominating season, where they went undefeated at home, were 10-4 ATS, 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games and had a top-20 defense in the country. They are projected as no.11 in this year’s power rankings and I expect them to dominate Utah Tech and cover the huge number at home today.