BYU vs. Utah Prediction
Is No. 14 Utah in danger of being upset when the Utes hit the road to take on in-state rival, BYU, tonight at 10:15PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
143 Utah vs. 144 BYU
Thursday, August 29, 2019
10:15PM ET – LaVell Edwards Stadium
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Utah is the favorite on the road, as the Utes are getting odds of -6.5 points against BYU. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 48 points. The public betting currently has 65 percent going on Utah as the road favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
BYU seeking upset start
The BYU Cougars are coming off a 7-6 record in 2018 and they are trying to get back to pushing toward 10 wins this season, their fourth under coach Kalani Sitake. BYU was 9-4 against the spread in 2018 while posting a 9-4 record with the under.
BYU was a smashmouth football team in 2018, and has been for years. The Cougars had a solid defense last year, giving up just 21.4 points and 324.1 yards per game. Offensively, BYU put up 27.2 points and 364.9 yards per contest last year. The team brings back 13 starters this year, including starting QB Zach Wilson. Wilson threw for 1,578 yards and 12 touchdowns last season in split action. He is coming off shoulder surgery, but is good to go tonight. BYU used a lot of bodies in the run game and returns Lopini Katoa, who led the team with 423 rushing yards.
Utes a preseason contender
The Utah football team is hoping to be a national contender this year, the 16th season under Kyle Whittingham. Utah was 9-5 last season with a 6-3 record in the Pac-12. The Utes were 7-7 against the spread in 2018 while posting an 8-6 record with the over.
Utah was a smashmouth football team in 2018 as well, as it also has been for many years now. The Utes held opponents to just 19.4 points and 315.6 yards per game while posting the fifth-best rushing defense in the nation. Offensively. Utah averaged just 28.1 points and 395.8 yards per contest. Tyler Huntley is back to lead the offense after seeing partial time in 2018 with 1,788 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. Leading rusher Zack Moss is also back this year after putting up 1,096 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2018.
College Football Betting Trends
BYU
BYU has covered the spread in eight of its last 10 games in August, but just 5-11 ATS in its last 16 games on grass.
Utah
Utah has covered the spread in 17 of its last 24 non-conference games and 11 of its last 16 road games.
Prediction:
Utah has won eight straight in this series , but BYU has covered in two of the last three. These two typically play close and low-scoring contests and I would expect more of the same at BYU tonight. The Cougars are hoping to avoid the injury bug this year, as it has really hit them in recent seasons, especially at QB. Today, BYU is healthy and that makes it a dangerous team. Utah isn’t going to blow past this BYU team and I think this game comes down to the final possession. I will take the Cougars at home with the points.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: BYU +6.5
Related: Utah vs. BYU Total Prediction