Portland State vs BYU Prediction 8/30/2025 Today’s College Football Picks

The Portland State Vikings and the BYU Cougars meet in week 1 college football action from LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Portland State Vikings vs. BYU Cougars prediction.

Portland State Vikings Team Preview

The Portland State Vikings come into this game looking to bounce back after a 42-0 loss at the hands of Tarleton State to fall to 0-1 on the year. After this game, the Vikings will head on the road again for another matchup against North Dakota. Gabe Downing threw for 91 yards and 2 INTs on 10 of 17 passing while John-Keawe Sagapolutele threw for 57 yards and an interception on 6 of 14 passing. Delon Thompson led the Vikings with 63 rushing yards while Tyrese Smith had 50 rushing yards and Branden Alvarez had a team-high 6 catches for 72 yards. On defense, Lonnie Burt had a team-high 10 total tackles including 6 solo tackles while Elias Sanders had a team-high 1.5 TFLs and Aedan Seiuli added a TFL as well. Spencer Elliott chipped in a forced fumble as well in the loss.

Why the Portland State Vikings will win

• BYU has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games against non-conference opponents at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

BYU Cougars Team Preview

The BYU Cougars come into the 2025 season looking to build on a solid 2024 season where the Cougars sat at 11-2, including a 7-2 mark in Big 12 conference play. The Cougars would knock off Colorado in the Alamo Bowl by a final score of 36-14. The QB situation is still a mess for the Cougars with off-field issues causing Jake Retzlaff to be removed, but there are still solid options for the Cougars with Bear Bachmeier in the fold but it looks like it’s McCae Hillstead’s job to lose. LJ Martin is back for BYU after recording 718 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns as well as five yards per carry. Chase Roberts is the top option for BYU’s receiving group, while Jojo Phillips and Parker Kingston will be expected to see more of a role in BYU’s receiver room. On defense, Tanner Wall leads the BYU secondary with 3 interceptions while Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker are both back at linebacker for BYU.

Why the BYU Cougars will win

• BYU has won each of its last 10 games against non-conference opponents.
• BYU has covered the spread in each of its last four games against non-conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Eight of BYU’s last nine home openers have gone UNDER the total points line.

Portland State vs. BYU Prediction

I’m on BYU in a blowout here. Portland State got nothing going against Tarleton State and now you’re going up against a massive BYU team that is huge in the trenches and will have no problems pushing Portland State around in this game. I think this one is all BYU from start to finish so give me BYU laying the wood in a rout.