BYU seeks to extend 4-0 start Friday vs West Virginia

No. 23 BYU will try to extend its unbeaten start to the season when the Cougars host West Virginia on Friday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Mountain on ESPN. BYU enters 4-0 overall and 1-0 in Big 12 play after a 24-21 comeback win at Colorado, while West Virginia is 2-3 and coming off a 48-14 loss to Utah.

Betting markets view BYU as a heavy favorite, with the spread listed near 19.5 points and a game total around 48.5. The mismatch on paper reflects contrasting trajectories: BYU has one of the nation’s top run offenses and a stingy defense, while West Virginia has struggled to find consistency on both sides of the ball and has used multiple quarterbacks this season.

Freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier has been the catalyst for BYU’s offense. Over his most recent outings he has expanded the passing game while remaining an effective runner, and the team has avoided turnovers through four games. BYU’s ground attack ranks among the top 10 nationally at roughly 250 yards per game, and the defense is allowing fewer than 10 points per contest. Protecting Bachmeier from West Virginia’s aggressive pass rush, which features a high blitz rate...