Martin returns to the availability discussion
LJ Martin has moved from doubtful to questionable after returning to practice following an ankle injury. Preston Rex and Sione Moa share the running-back listing on the weekly depth chart.
College Football team briefing / WagerBird research desk
BYU Cougars
The matchup. The market. The case for your next move.
Results, schedule and game-day research ·
Season record6–1Won last game
Against the spread4–2At the closing number
Last 5 games
WWWLW
Oldest to newest →Next matchup
Cougars at Utes
Tonightat Utes11:00 AM CT 12:00 PM ET
Cougars +4Total 49Cougars ML +165Kalshi Cougars 40¢ at 7:58 AM CT Sat 11/7Lines at 7:00 AM CT
Inside the game-day briefing
11Reported player statuses45Projected starters
Read the research and matchup notes Tonight’s Cougars pick
Cougars at Utes
Sat Nov 7 · 11:00 AM CT · 12:00 PM ET · released and locked
55
Signal strength
3 units
Signal strength 55, released before kickoff with its price locked.
55
Tonight’s pick is locked.Game pick · price locked at release
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Every Cougars pick is graded at the official result.
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Game-day research
Cougars at Utes preview: what our research says
BYU enters the Utah trip at 6-1 and ranked No. 7. Kalani Sitake’s team is 4-0 at home and 2-1 on the road. The 27-20 win over Arizona State followed a 31-39 double-overtime loss at UCF. Against Arizona State, BYU held a 17-3 halftime lead, allowed the game to become tied and secured the result in the fourth quarter.
Bear Bachmeier remains the starting quarterback. He completed 19 of 30 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown against Arizona State. Kyler Kasper and Legend Glasker combined for 144 receiving yards and a touchdown. The current running-back chart pairs Preston Rex with Sione Moa while LJ Martin works toward a return from his ankle injury. Martin is questionable after returning to practice.
The offensive line has Kyle Sfarcioc back at right guard after he missed the UCF game. Bott Mulitalo heads the right-tackle listing. Walker Lyons leads the tight-end options with Roger Saleapaga II doubtful. On defense, Evan Johnson remains doubtful, and Jayven Williams and Therrian Alexander III lead the cornerback listings. Joseph Douglas and Siosefa Brown are out.
BYU’s earlier wins included a goal-line stop against Notre Dame in the 28-24 victory. The defense also limited Iowa State to 200 total yards in the 24-10 win. Today brings a visit to 7-0 Utah, with final game-day availability still unconfirmed here.
Season at time of writing
BYU is 6-1, with a 4-0 home record and a 2-1 road record, and is ranked No. 7. The Cougars followed their 31-39 double-overtime loss at UCF with a 27-20 home win over Arizona State. Bachmeier passed for 236 yards against Arizona State, while the defense held Iowa State to 200 total yards in the 24-10 victory.
The news
Bachmeier leads the response
Bear Bachmeier completed 19 of 30 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown against Arizona State. Kyler Kasper and Legend Glasker combined for 144 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Sfarcioc returns at right guard
Kyle Sfarcioc returned against Arizona State after missing the UCF game through injury. The weekly chart now lists him without a co-starter at right guard, with Bott Mulitalo first at right tackle.
Defensive absences shape the personnel list
Evan Johnson remains doubtful, while Joseph Douglas and Siosefa Brown were moved to out. Jayven Williams and Therrian Alexander III lead the cornerback listings; the chart also lists both SAM and nickel roles.
Injuries
Injury report as of : 10 Cougars and 1 Utes on the report.
Cougars
- LJ MartinAnkle injury; back at practice, but a return against Utah was not confirmed.Questionable
- Evan JohnsonLower-body injury against UCF; no confirmed return date.Doubtful
- Roger Saleapaga IIInjured against Arizona State; diagnosis and return date not disclosed.Doubtful
- Jonathan KabeyaInjury details and return date not disclosed.Out
- Pierson WatsonInjury details and return date not disclosed.Out
- Seth ShiggInjury details and return date not disclosed.Out
- Vincent TautuaInjury details and return date not disclosed.Out
- Joseph DouglasChanged from questionable to out; diagnosis and return date not disclosed.Out
- +2 more · full report in the Terminal
Utes
- Isaiah GarciaIssue not disclosed; out against BYU, with no return date listed.Out
The matchup
Cougars projected starters
- Bear BachmeierQB
- Preston Rex / Sione MoaRB
- Kyler KasperWR
- Legend GlaskerWR
- Jojo PhillipsWR
- Walker LyonsTE
- Paki FinauLT
- Sonny MakasiniLG
- Bruce MitchellC
- Kyle SfarciocRG
- Bott MulitaloRT
- Bodie Schoonover / Viliami Po’uhaDE
- Justin Kirkland / Anisi PurcellNT
- Keanu TanuvasaDT
- Tausili Akana (Boundary LB)
- Nusi TaumoepeauSAM
- Cade UluaveMACK
- Isaiah Glasker (ROVER)
- Raider Damuni / Tommy PrassasSS
- Faletau SatualaFS
- Jayven WilliamsCB
- Therrian Alexander IIICB
- Cannon DeVries (Nickel)
Utes projected starters
- Devon DampierQB
- Wayshawn ParkerRB
- Ricky JohnsonWR
- Braden PeganWR
- Creed Whittemore (Slot WR)
- Noah BenneeTE
- Zereoue WilliamsLT
- Roger AldermanLG
- Alex HarrisonC
- Keith OlsonRG
- Cedric JeffersonRT
- Lance HoltzclawLDE
- Jireh MoeLDT
- Karson KaufusiRDT
- Ethan DayRDE
- Johnathan Hall (ROVER)
- Trey ReynoldsMAC
- Elijah DavisCB
- Nate RitchieSS
- Rabbit EvansFS
- Elijah ReedCB
- Jackson Bennee (Nickel)
Updated How we grade
Written by the WagerBird research team from our own results, line captures and graded picks. Updated . How we grade →
Cougars at Utes odds and prediction markets
Sportsbook prices at 7:59 AM CTPrices as of : the Cougars are +4 to +4.5 at five sportsbooks and the total is 49.5.
WagerBird earns a commission when you sign up through a sportsbook link on this page. That does not change the prices shown or which one is marked best. Offers are for new customers in states where each sportsbook is licensed; terms apply at the sportsbook.
Prediction markets
Prices at 7:58 AM CT Sat 11/7Kalshi and Polymarket on Cougars at Utes
Cougars to win costs 40¢ on Kalshi, against +160 at the best sportsbook (DraftKings). A Yes price in cents is the market’s chance in percent; Kalshi’s trading fee is extra.
| Market | Kalshi | Polymarket | Best sportsbook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cougars to win | 40¢40% chance | 38¢38% chance | +160DraftKings |
| Utes to win | 65¢65% chance | 65¢65% chance | −188FanDuel |
Sportsbooks
| Sportsbook | Spread | Money line | Total | Sign up | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cougars | Utes | Cougars | Utes | Over | Under | ||
| FanDuel | +4.5−114 | −4.5−106 | +155 | −188 | – | – | Sign up |
| DraftKingsClaim the DraftKings new-customer offer | +4.5−115 | −4.5−105 | +160 | −192 | – | – | Sign up |
| BetMGMNJ MI PA WV: Bet $10 Get $150. All other states: $1500 Back in Bonus Bets if You Don't Win Code WAGERBIRD1 | +4−108 | −4−112 | +155 | −190 | o49.5−105 | – | Sign up |
| CaesarsBet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Wagers Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost Code WBIRD1DYW | +4.5−114 | −4.5−106 | +156 | −190 | – | – | Sign up |
| FanaticsNew Customers Get Up To $1,000 Matched In FanCash | +4.5−115 | −4.5−105 | +160 | −196 | – | – | Sign up |
BestGreen is the best price at the same line among these five sportsbooks. Prices as of 7:59 AM CT; they move until the start, and each sportsbook shows its live price before you confirm.
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Line movement
at Utah UtesSat Nov 7 · 11:00 AM CT · 12:00 PM ET
Lines as of : the Cougars spread is +4 (opened +6); the total is 49 (opened 47.5).
Cougars spread+6+4−2
Total47.549+1.5
Cougars team total20.520.5No move
Cougars money line+190+165−25
Open, then now.
Results and against the spread
6–1 · 4–2 ATSRecord
6–1
Against the spread
4–2
Form, last 5
WWWLW
Last game
W 27-20vs Devils
| Date | Game | Result | Spread | ATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 10/31 | vs Arizona State Sun Devils | W 27-20 | −14.5 | Missed |
| Sat 10/24 | at UCF Knights | L 31-39 | −7.5 | Missed |
| Sat 10/17 | vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish | W 28-24 | +10.5 | Covered |
| Fri 10/9 | vs Iowa State Cyclones | W 24-10 | −10.5 | Covered |
| Sat 10/3 | at TCU Horned Frogs | W 17-10 | −5 | Covered |
Spread is the Cougars’ closing number. ATS is against the spread at the closing number.
Schedule
vs BearsFri 11/13 · 11:00 PM CT12:00 AM ET
at JayhawksFri 11/20 · 11:00 PM CT12:00 AM ET
vs BearcatsFri 11/27 · 11:00 PM CT12:00 AM ET
Our Cougars picks, graded
How we workReleased
before kickoff, price locked at release
Locked
price and line at release, never changed
Graded
against the closing line
Cougars questions, answered
Is there a Cougars pick for this matchup?
Yes. Our Cougars pick for Cougars at Utes was released before kickoff at Signal strength 55. Unlock it in the Terminal.
What is the Cougars' record this season?
The BYU Cougars are 6-1: 4-0 at home and 2-1 on the road.
When do the Cougars play next?
The Cougars visit the Utah Utes on Saturday, November 7 at 11:00 AM CT (12:00 PM ET).
Who is on the Cougars injury report?
The Cougars list LJ Martin (Questionable), Evan Johnson (Doubtful), Roger Saleapaga II (Doubtful), Jonathan Kabeya (Out), Pierson Watson (Out), Seth Shigg (Out), Vincent Tautua (Out), Joseph Douglas (Out), Siosefa Brown (Out), Kendal Wall (Questionable), Brody Laga (Available).
What matters for the Cougars against the Utes?
Ranked No. 7 BYU visits 7-0 Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium today at 11:00 AM CT. LJ Martin is questionable, while Evan Johnson and Roger Saleapaga II are doubtful; Utah lists Isaiah Garcia out, and Kelvin Obot is out for the season. The latest located status changes were posted November 5; the final official game-day report was unavailable.
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