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Intriguing college football programs face off in their third all-time meeting on Friday night. The BYU Cougars host the East Carolina Pirates in the ninth contest of the 2022 season for both teams. LaVell Edwards Stadium showcases the game in Provo, with BYU aiming to stop a three-game losing streak. East Carolina is 5-3 overall and BYU is 4-4 to begin the 2022 campaign.

Caesars Sportsbook lists the Cougars as 3-point favorites in Provo. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 62 in the latest East Carolina vs. BYU odds. Before making any BYU vs. East Carolina picks, you need to see the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer simulation model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past six-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on ECU vs. BYU and just locked in its picks and CFB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several college football odds and betting lines for BYU vs. ECU:

  • East Carolina vs. BYU spread: BYU -3.5
  • East Carolina vs. BYU over/under: 63.5 points 
  • East Carolina vs. BYU money line: BYU -160, East Carolina +135 
  • ECU: The Pirates are 5-3 against the spread in 2022 
  • BYU: The Cougars are 2-6 against the spread this season
  • East Carolina vs. BYU picks: See picks here

Why East Carolina can cover

Holton Ahlers leads a dynamic East Carolina offense with experience and productivity. Ahlers, a fifth-year quarterback, has more than 12,500 career passing yards and 87 career passing touchdowns. In 2022, Ahlers is averaging more than 300 passing yards per game, and he boasts a career-best completion rate of 70.3%. Ahlers has 18 passing touchdowns and five interceptions this season, with only 11 sacks allowed in eight games. He is also a capable runner with more than 1,100 career yards and 22 rushing touchdowns. 

East Carolina ranks in the top four of the AAC in total offense, passing offense, completion rate, rushing offense, yards per carry, and third down conversion rate. East Carolina is also facing a vulnerable BYU defense that is giving up 6.0 yards per carry over the last two games. The Cougars are also yielding 5.8 yards per play for the season, outside the top 90 in FBS, and BYU is outside the top 100 in FBS in success rate allowed in 2022.

Why BYU can cover

BYU's offense is electric and difficult to stop. The Cougars, led by Jaren Hall, are averaging more than 400 total yards and 30 points per game in 2022. BYU is especially productive through the air, averaging 266.1 passing yards per game, and Hall is a big part of that attack. Hall has 2,101 passing yards this season, and he has 19 touchdown passes and only three interceptions, averaging 8.0 yards per pass attempt. In his career, Hall has 40 passing touchdowns and eight interceptions, and he is the centerpiece of an offense that is converting 42.0% of third down chances. 

On the ground, BYU is averaging 4.8 yards per carry, with senior running back Christopher Brooks carrying the largest load. Brooks is averaging 6.1 yards per carry with five rushing touchdowns, and BYU is also balanced in the receiving game with five players producing at least 200 receiving yards. The Cougars are also adept on defense in stopping opposing passing attacks, with BYU giving up 219.3 yards per game, and the Cougars match up well with East Carolina in that area.

How to make East Carolina vs. BYU picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total, with both teams projected to throw for at least 275 passing yards. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine.

So who wins East Carolina vs. BYU? And which side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the East Carolina vs. BYU spread you need to jump on Friday, all from the model that has crushed its college football picks, and find out.