Utah vs. BYU Total Prediction
Will No. 14 Utah and BYU have a hard-hitting, defensive battle when the two in-state rivals meet up on Thursday night 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 slight favorite on the road, as the Utes are getting odds of -5 points against BYU. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 47.5 points. The public betting currently has 69 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.
Utes hope to contend
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 a 8-6 record with the over.
Utah was a smashmouth football team in 2018, as it 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.
BYU trying to run the corner
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.
Like Utah, 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. BYU used a lot of bodies in the run game and returns Lopini Katoa, who led the team with 423 rushing yards.
College Football Betting Trends
Utah
Utah has hit the over in four of its last five games in August.
BYU
BYU has hit the under in five straight August games and in seven of its last eight against Pac-12 opponents.
Prediction:
Utah has won eight straight in this series and the games have tended to be lower scoring, especially when they meet at BYU. In their last two meetings at BYU, the point total was under 35 points. Neither offense is overpowering and neither team has a lot of breakout players. The Cougars should get a nice defensive boost at home and I think that will keep the game low-scoring and competitive.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: Utah/BYU Under 47.5