BYU Cougars
BYU Cougars Saturday night in the snowy desert, the 16th ranked BYU Cougars take on the Arizona Wildcats in the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl. Odds makers are calling the 10-2 Cougars favorites over the 7-5 Wildcats. NCAA betting lines have BYU at -3 with the total sitting at 60.

The Cougars will be looking to get their eleventh win for the third straight season as BYU makes their fourth bowl appearance in as many years. The Cougars hopes of a more significant bowl berth were shattered when BYU fell to Utah in their last regular-season game.

"I think we've put it behind us," said quarterback Max Hall. "I think we're hungry to play again and kind of end the season on a high note."

Hall has passed for more than 3,600 yards and 34 touchdowns and has led the Cougars and their 19th ranked offense that
has put up an average of over 35 points per game.

Coach Mike Stoops and Arizona's offense has also put up a lot of points in 2008. The Wildcats rank 16th in the nation having scored more than 37 points per game themselves, and since installing the spread offense in 2007, Arizona has not have problems putting up points.

"Some programs take longer than others, let's face it. There's only so many Oklahomas, Texases, Ohio States and USCs," Stoops said. "The rest of us have to work really hard to develop our programs and to gain stability in programs."

Stoops said a victory against BYU would mean validation for his program. Arizona has not had a winning season since 1998, when it went 12-1 and beat Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl.

Arizona is definitely much improved, but BYU should take this one. Take the Cougars and give the 3 points.