Parlay: West Virginia Mountaineers VS BYU Cougars 2025-10-03

BYU vs. West Virginia: A Same-Game Parlay for the Ages
Where BYU’s defense is a math teacher’s dream and West Virginia’s offense is a pop quiz nobody studied for.

Parsing the Odds: A Numbers Game
Let’s start with the cold, hard math. BYU is favored by 20.5 points (per most books), with moneyline odds of -1200 (implied probability: 92%). West Virginia’s +725 line suggests bookmakers think the Mountaineers have an 8.3% chance of pulling off an upset. For context, that’s about the same odds as me correctly predicting the outcome of a coin flip while blindfolded and juggling flaming torches.

The total is set at 46.5-47.5 points, which feels like a generous estimate given BYU’s defense. Last week, they held Colorado to 291 total yards and forced three turnovers. West Virginia’s offense? Well, they’ve averaged just 29 points per game this season, and their two Big 12 losses came by a combined 65 points. If the Cougars’ defense is a fortress, the Mountaineers’ offense is a toddler with a map trying to find the front door.

Digesting the News: Injuries, History, and Why This Matters
BYU’s star running back, LJ Martin, is the engine of this train. With 400 yards and one touchdown in four games, he’s the team’s heartbeat. The Cougars also have a quarterback in Bear Bachmeier who’s looking to build on his career-best performance against Colorado (277 yards, two TDs).

West Virginia’s lone bright spot is receiver Cam Vaughn, who’s racked up 277 yards and two scores. But here’s the rub: The Mountaineers’ defense is a sieve. They’ve allowed 28.5 points per game and just got drilled 48-14 by Utah. Their last win? A season-opening victory over Robert Morris, a team that could lose to a high school marching band in a game of “Find the Football.”

Historically, BYU has dominated this matchup. They’ve lost only twice in their last 10 games against West Virginia, and both losses came by a combined 14 points. But let’s not get nostalgic—this year’s Cougars are a different beast.

The Humor: Football, Metaphors, and Why You Should Bet on BYU
BYU’s defense is so good, they could turn a game of chess into a game of “Guess Which Piece the Opponent Will Fumble.” West Virginia’s offense, meanwhile, is like a Wi-Fi signal in a concrete bunker—present, but don’t hold your breath.

The 20.5-point spread is so lopsided, it’s like giving a toddler a 10-piece meal while the adult gets a snack-sized portion. If you’re betting on West Virginia, you might as well buy a lottery ticket and a life insurance policy—same odds, same level of desperation.

The Parlay: Why You Should Bet BYU -20.5 and Over 47.5
Here’s the play: BYU -20.5 and Over 47.5. Let’s break it down:
1. BYU to Cover the Spread (-20.5): The Cougars have the offensive firepower (Bachmeier, Martin) and defensive discipline to win by 20+ points. West Virginia’s struggles are too systemic to overcome in Provo’s altitude-induced pressure cooker.
2. Over 47.5: While BYU’s defense will likely keep the Mountaineers in check, the Cougars’ offense is explosive enough to push the total. A 34-10 win (44 points) feels conservative; a 41-13 rout (54 points) is more likely.

Why This Works: The spread ensures a blowout, and the over hinges on BYU’s offense lighting up the scoreboard. Even if West Virginia scores a touchdown, the Cougars’ points will drown out the noise.

Final Prediction:
BYU 41, West Virginia 13
The Cougars win by 28, the spread is covered with room to spare, and the total eclipses 54 points. Bet the parlay, and if you lose, blame it on the “unpredictability of college football.” (Spoiler: You won’t lose.)

Go Cougars. And if you bet on West Virginia, may your confidence be as fleeting as their offensive plays. 🏈

Created: Oct. 3, 2025, 6:44 p.m. GMT