SMU vs BYU Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for New Mexico Bowl 2022 (Mustangs, Cougars Go Blow-for-Blow in Shootout)

SMU vs BYU Game Info

2022 NCAA College Football Game — New Mexico Bowl
SMU Mustangs (7-5) vs. BYU Cougars (7-5)
Date: Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022
Time: 2:15 p.m. ET
Venue: University Stadium — Albuquerque, NM
Coverage: ESPN2

The 2022 NCAA college football bowl game matchups have been revealed, including the New Mexico Bowl. This year's event will be played between the SMU Mustangs and the BYU Cougars.

SMU's campaign wasn't anything overly special, however, the Mustangs did improve as time went on, winning four of their last five games — including last week's 34-31 win against Memphis. Meanwhile, BYU enters the 2022 New Mexico Bowl riding a three-game winning streak following a 35-26 victory over Stanford in Week 14.

Can SMU win its first bowl game since 2012? Or will BYU prove to be too tough of a challenge in Albuquerque?

SMU vs BYU Odds & Spread

All NCAAF betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Moneyline: SMU: (-105) | BYU: (-114)
Spread: SMU: +0.5 (-106) | BYU: -0.5 (-114)
Total: 74.5 — Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

BYU enters this contest as a slight favorite on the spread and moneyline. This New Mexico Bowl clash also features a total of 74.5, which is the highest of this year's bowl games.

SMU vs BYU Prediction & Pick

The odds point to this being an evenly-matched contest, however, I'm giving the edge to BYU due to its defense. On top of allowing nearly 40 yards more per game than its New Mexico Bowl opponent, SMU surrendered the 10th-most points in the nation this season (36.4 PPG) and has allowed 59-plus points in two of its last four games.

The Cougars haven't been perfect, but they have kept opponents to 28 or fewer points over their last three games. Furthermore, BYU Is a respectable 5-1 in its last six games against AAC programs, whereas SMU has dropped six straight to independent FBS schools.

In a world where SMU's defense is built like Swiss cheese, back BYU to come out on the right side of this probable shootout.

Final Score Prediction: BYU: 45 | SMU: 35

SMU vs BYU Betting Trends

- SMU is 4-2 against the spread (ATS) in its last six games.
- BYU is 12-6 straight up in its last 18 games.
- The total has hit the under in six of SMU's last eight games played in December.
- The total has hit the over in 10 of BYU's last 14 games.

SMU vs BYU Best Bet

All NCAAF betting lines, odds and prop bets are available on FanDuel Sportsbook.

SMU and BYU not only combine for 70.3 PPG this season, but they also allow a combined 64.7 PPG due to their defensive inconsistencies. With two of the worst defenses in college football colliding, it likely means that we have a shootout on our hands.

In addition to the total going over in 10 of BYU's last 14 games, SMU has also seen a total of over 74.5 points in three of its last five games. With the pressure being high to win a bowl game, expect a lot of fireworks at the New Mexico Bowl.

Bet: Over 74.5 Points (-110)

Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.