The BYU Cougars (0-0) play an FCS opponent, the Portland State Vikings (0-1), on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

The Cougars are expected to win by at least two TDs (currently -42.5) against the Vikings. The over/under for this matchup is 61.5 points.

Read on for our betting primer for this this matchup between the Cougars and the Vikings, and uncover all of our expert predictions here, too!

BYU vs. Portland State betting lines

• Spread favorite: Cougars (-42.5)
• Moneyline: Cougars (-20000), Vikings (+3500)
• Total: 61.5 points

BYU vs. Portland State betting info and stats

• BYU’s record against the spread last year was 8-5-0.
• Out of 13 BYU games last year, nine hit the over.
• Portland State posted a 6-3-0 record against the spread last year.
• In nine Portland State games last year, five of them hit the over.

BYU vs. Portland State key players

BYU Cougars

• Last year Jake Retzlaff recorded 2,898 passing yards (222.9 per game), a 57.6% completion percentage (212-for-368), 20 touchdowns, and only 12 interceptions. He also added 418 rushing yards on 100 carries with six rushing TDs (averaging 32.2 yards per game).
• LJ Martin racked up 723 rushing yards (55.6 per game) and seven touchdowns last year.
• In the previous season, Chase Roberts grabbed 51 passes (on 75 targets) for 805 yards (61.9 per game). He also found the end zone four times.
• Darius Lassiter amassed 703 yards on 45 grabs with four touchdowns. He was targeted 92 times, and averaged 54.1 receiving yards per game.
• Keelan Marion’s stat line last season: 346 receiving yards, 24 catches, one touchdown, on 42 targets.
• Jack Kelly did his thing last season with a memorable stat line of 5.0 sacks, 7.0 TFL, 48 tackles, and one interception.
• Isaiah Glasker went to work last year, collecting 64 tackles, 12.0 TFL, 3.5 sacks, and three interceptions.
• Tanner Wall collected three interceptions while adding 49 tackles and three passes defended last year.

Portland State Vikings

• Dante Chachere completed 60.8% of his passes to throw for 1,970 and 12 touchdowns last season. Chachere also contributed with his legs, tallying 12 touchdowns on 65.7 yards per game.
• Delon Thompson rushed for 664 yards and six touchdowns last season.
• Eric Denham averaged 46.9 yards on 3.2 receptions per game and compiled three receiving touchdowns in 2024.
• Branden Alvarez grabbed five touchdowns and had 480 receiving yards (48.0 ypg) in 2024.
• Quincy Craig played his way to five receiving touchdowns and 314 receiving yards (28.5 ypg) last season.
• Michael Montgomery proved to be a relentless defender last year, recording 2.5 sacks, eight tackles.
• Tyreese Shakir had an impressive defensive performance last season with 10 tackles and one interception.
• Spencer Elliott racked up one interception in addition to 1.5 sacks a year ago.