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BYU vs Portland State Picks and Predictions — August 30, 2025
The BYU Cougars will debut true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier in the season opener against Portland State at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday. Bachmeier, who transferred from Stanford, will be the first true freshman QB to start a season opener for the Cougars. Portland State, coming off a rough 42-0 loss to Tarleton State, faces a daunting challenge in Provo.
Oddsmakers list BYU as heavy favorites at -27, with the total set at 54.
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BYU Can Win If…
They give Bear Bachmeier the support he needs in his debut. The freshman QB has impressed during fall camp, earning the starting job after Jake Retzlaff’s transfer to Tulane. With top returning players like receiver Chase Roberts (52 catches for 854 yards, 4 TDs) and running back LJ Martin (718 yards, 7 TDs), Bachmeier has the tools around him to succeed.
“He doesn’t act like a freshman quarterback,” said Roberts, highlighting Bachmeier’s poise and leadership.
BYU’s solid offensive weapons, combined with the advantage of facing an FCS team, should put the Cougars in position for a comfortable win.
Portland State Can Win If…
They limit turnovers and take advantage of any opportunities on offense. The Vikings struggled in their season opener, throwing three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and failing to get anything going offensively.
“What they gave us on offense we couldn’t take advantage of,” said Portland State coach Bruce Barnum after their 42-0 loss.
Portland State will need to clean up its mistakes and execute better on both sides of the ball to have a chance at shocking BYU. However, their defense will have to be vastly improved to slow down the Cougars’ high-powered offense.
Key NCAAF Betting Trends
| Category | BYU | Portland State |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 0-0 (Season Opener) | 0-1 (0-1 last season) |
| Last 5 Games | 0-0 | 1-4 |
| Points Per Game | N/A | N/A |
| Opponent PPG | N/A | N/A |
| FCS Record | 19-0 | N/A |
| Head-to-Head (2017) | BYU 20-6 | N/A |
The Lean
Pick: BYU -27
Projected Final Score: BYU 38, Portland State 10
BYU enters as a heavy favorite against an FCS opponent, and despite the fresh face at quarterback, their talent should carry them to an easy win. Portland State’s struggles in their opener and BYU’s dominance against FCS teams in the past point to a comfortable victory for the Cougars.
Stay updated on all the Week 1 matchups and expert predictions at our NCAAF previews hub.
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