BYU vs. Utah Prediction
Can No. 17 Utah cover a double-digit spread at home when it faces its non-conference rival, BYU, at 10PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
183 BYU at 184 Utah
Saturday, November 24, 2018
10PM ET – Rice-Eccles Stadium
TV: FS1
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Utah is favored at home, as the Utes are getting odds of -11.5 points against BYU. The over/under total for the contest is currently listed at 44.5 points. The public betting currently is split 50-50 for this game.
Utah on a win streak
The Utah Utes are coming off a 30-7 win at Colorado last weekend for a second straight win and sixth win in seven games. The Utes are now 8-3 overall, 7-4 against the spread and 6-5 with the over. Utah has also covered in six of its last seven.
The Utes have been led this year by their defense. They rank 16th nationally in scoring defense (18.5 ppg), 14th in total yards (313.5 ypg) and fifth in rushing defense (96.9 ypc). Offensively, Utah is putting up 30.5 points and 424.7 yards per contest. The team lost quarterback Tyler Huntley a few weeks ago to a collarbone injury. Jason Shelley has replaced him and has thrown for 582 yards and two scores. Zack Moss is the leading rusher with 1,092 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. He also was lost for the year with a knee injury.
BYU heating up
The BYU Cougars are coming off a 45-10 win over New Mexico State last week for a second consecutive victory. BYU is 6-5 overall, 7-4 against the spread and 9-2 with the under. BYU has covered the spread in three straight games.
The Cougars put a pretty good defense on the field, as they allowing just 20.5 points and 327.6 yards per game. Both of those stats ranks in the top 25 in the country. When it comes to offense, BYU is averaging only 25.3 points and 354.6 yards per game. Zach Wilson has emerged as the starting QB after splitting time with Tanner Mangum throughout the year. Wilson has 1,057 passing yards with six touchdowns. Lopini Katoa is the leading rusher with 423 yards and eight touchdowns while Squally Canada has 412 yards and five scores. Canada is questionable for this game with an undisclosed injury.
College Football Betting Trends
Utah
Utah is 22-8-1 against the spread in their last 31 games against a winning team and 5-1 ATS in its last six at home.
BYU
BYU is 7-1 against the spread in its last eight road games and 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games overall.
Prediction:
Utah is on a nice run, and the injuries are a concern, but the Utes face a BYU team that hasn’t really been facing the best competitive in recent weeks. The Cougars have taken on New Mexico State, UMass, Northern Illinois and Hawaii in recent outings. They struggled earlier this year against the likes of Utah State and Washington and I think they will struggle on the road with Utah’s defense as well. I think the Utah defense will help overcome the offensive injury concerns and allow the Utes to lead throughout the game and cover this spread.
College Football Prediction: Utah -11.5
Related: BYU vs. Utah Total Prediction