The No. 22 Utah Utes and the No. 14 BYU Cougars meet Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
The No. 22 Utah Utes (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) and the No. 14 BYU Cougars (6-0, 3-0) meet Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA football odds around the Utah vs. BYU odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.
Utah leads the all-time series 60-33-4, although BYU has won the last 2 installments of this “Holy War” rivalry game.
BYU won 22-21 at Utah last season, although the Utes covered as a 3-point underdog as the Over (41) narrowly cashed. Before that, BYU won at home, 26-17, winning in Provo as a 6.5-point underdog as the Under (50) cashed. Utah’s last win in the series came Aug. 29, 2019 in a game at BYU. The last time BYU has 3 or more wins in a row in this series was 1989-1992, when it won 4 in a row.
BYU outlasted Arizona in OT, winning 33-27 as a 2.5-point favorite as the Over (46.5) cashed. QB Bear Bachmeier threw 2 INTs, but he had 172 passing yards and a TD, while running for 89 yards and 2 scores. RB LJ Martin rushed for 162 yards and a TD, too. That halted a 2-game non-cover streak, while the Over is 2-0 in the past 2 games. BYU has scored 24 or more points in all 5 games against FBS opponents, while going 4-2 against the spread (ATS) this season.
Utah leads the FCS in third-down conversion at 60%. It was 4-for-8 last week in a 42-10 win against Arizona State last Saturday as a 9-point favorite as the Over (42.5) cashed. Utah has averaged 45.0 PPG in the past 2 games, while allowing just 12.0 PPG. The Utes are 5-1 ATS this season, while the Over has a 4-2 edge. Utah QB Devon Dampier threw for just 104 yards against the Sun Devils, but he ran for 120 yards and 3 TDs, and Utah had 6 total rushing scores.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
Utah at BYU odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Utah -185 (bet $185 to win $100) | BYU +150 (bet $100 to win $150)
- Against the spread: Utah -3.5 (-110) | BYU +3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 48.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Utah at BYU picks and predictions
Prediction
BYU 23, Utah 20
BYU (+150) is a solid value as a moderate underdog in this rivalry game.
Utah is tremendous running the ball, and defensively, it is extremely strong. It’s a great combination, and recipe for success. However, BYU is also very good running the ball, and it is tremendous defensively, too. We should have a fabulous defensive slog with plenty of running. A rivalry game can go either way, and these teams are very, very similar. You’ll be sweating it out either way.
BYU +3.5 (-110) is a solid play catching the 3 and a hook, if you like the home ‘dog, but you want a little bit of wiggle room. The home team has covered the past 2 games, although the road team is 4-2 ATS in the past 6 in the series. The underdog is 3-1 ATS in the previous 4 installments, however, while going 7-3 ATS in the past 10 in the series since Sept. 17, 2011.
UNDER 48.5 (-105) is a decent play in this rivalry game.
Both of these teams have tremendous defenses, and the Under is 4-2 in the past 6 meetings in this series. We have had 43 or fewer points in 5 of the past 6 meetings in this series, with an average of 42.7 PPG in the past 3 installments.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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Source: Utah News