West Virginia and No. 23 BYU are two programs trending in opposite directions. With the Mountaineers struggling and the Cougars thriving, Week 6 is an opportunity to either double down or rewrite some narratives. Friday night’s Big 12 showdown (10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN) continues conference play.
With PrizePicks’ real-money CFB game, you can add excitement to the action. Several West Virginia vs. BYU picks stand out, including player projections for QB Bear Bachmeier.
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West Virginia vs. BYU Prediction, CFB Picks for Week 6
There isn’t much history with these two teams — Week 6 will be just the third time West Virginia and BYU meet, with the Mountaineers boasting a 2-0 series advantage.
2016’s bout was a close one, ending 35-32 on a neutral site. In 2023, WVU gave the visitors a not-so-friendly welcome in Morgantown with a 37-7 drubbing.
West Virginia Mountaineers Preview
- Since posting a 9-4 record and winning the Duke’s Mayo Bowl under Neal Brown in 2023, it’s been tough sledding for West Virginia. They went 6-7 last season and dropped the Frisco Bowl to Memphis.
- The Mountaineers are off to a 2-3 start in the head coach Rich Rodriguez era, including consecutive ugly losses in Big 12 play.
- WVU’s opponents for Weeks 4 and 5 (Kansas and Utah) combined for 89 points and won by margin of +65.
- Offense has been the problem. According to Game on Paper, West Virginia is 127th in total EPA entering Week 6. Senior offensive assistant Travis Trickett has some work to do on that end, particularly in the passing game (135th in EPA).
BYU Cougars Preview
- The aforementioned Big 12 debut effort in 2023 seems like a distant memory. It’s been nothing but greatness for head coach Kalani Sitake and company since then, as BYU went 11-2 in 2024 and is a perfect 4-0 so far this season.
- Last weekend’s 3-point triumph over Colorado doesn’t do this 2025 slate justice. BYU’s average margin of victory (16) ranks 23rd nationally.
- Friday is the first conference home game of the year for the Cougars. They hosted Portland State and Stanford to open the campaign, then went on the road to face East Carolina and launch Big 12 play in Colorado.
- Provo’s football program can get the job done in all areas, slotting in at 23rd in EPA/play on offense and 12th on defense.
West Virginia vs. BYU Picks for CFB DFS & PrizePicks
Here are three West Virginia vs. BYU picks to consider for Week 6 of the CFB season. BYU QB Bear Bachmeier and RB LJ Martin, as well as West Virginia kicker Kade Hensley, make up the group of PrizePicks player projections.
BYU QB Bear Bachmeier Projection: 195.5 Pass Yards
- Bachmeier, the first true freshman QB to start an opener in BYU’s history, is justifying the decision.
- In four games, the California native averages 174.3 passing yards per contest. He’s gone over the 200-yard mark just once.
- If there’s one thing Bachmeier helps the Cougars do, it’s move the sticks. The offense is in the top 10 among all FBS programs in passing success rate at 54.4%.
- West Virginia has a middle-of-the-pack pass defense, ranking 62nd in EPA/play and 53rd in opposing success rate achieved.
BYU RB LJ Martin Projection: 102.5 Rush Yards
- Through four 2025 outings, Martin leads the conference with a 7.3 yard-per-carry average.
- The Cougars’ rushing attack is absolutely lethal, ranking 15th in EPA/game and eighth in yards per attempt.
- Martin topped 100 yards in each of his first three games before managing just 58 against Colorado.
- Tackling Martin is key. Among RBs with 50-plus carries this year, the junior ranks fourth in yards after contact per try (5.24), per Pro Football Focus.
West Virginia K Kade Hensley Projection: 4.5 Kicking Points
- A transfer from Coastal Carolina, Hensley owns a career 99% accuracy mark on extra points and a 79.2% clip on field goals. He’s a perfect 17-for-17 from 20-29 yards, but is shakier beyond that range.
- Hensley’s lone miss this year was on a 44-yard attempt.
- The Cougars’ opponents are 4-for-4 on extra point tries and 3-for-4 on field goals this season.
- Getting opportunities might be a challenge. According to Game on Paper, BYU is third in the nation in opposing starting field position. The double-whammy here is WVU is 120th in its own average starting distance.
Make West Virginia vs. #23 BYU Picks on PrizePicks
Friday night presents a sneaky-big matchup for one side — BYU can’t afford to lose to an inferior program, thus giving them plenty to play for. On the heels of consecutive blowout losses, West Virginia is slipping but has a chance to play spoiler.
PrizePicks is the best place to get in on real-money CFB action for Week 6 and beyond. West Virginia vs. BYU picks and tons of other player projections are at your disposal. Just select players, predict More or Less for their stats, and win rewards when you’re right.
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