2009 Poinsettia Bowl Utah vs. California Picks & Predictions

Last Updated on December 23, 2009 12:00 pm by drew

Poinsettia Bowl Pick

Two explosive offenses meet in the 2009 Poinsettia Bowl on Wednesday at 8PM ET from Qualcomm Stadium as
Utah faces off with

California.

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Utah is 9-3 on the season and 5-7 against the point spread odds. The Utes have lost two of their last three games but covered in three of their last four. All three losses this season for

Utah came on the road.

Cal is 8-4 on the year and 6-6 against the spread. The Bears looked like an early national title contender, starting 3-0, but back-to-back losses ended those hopes.

Cal did win and cover in two of its last three games.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL have made
California 3-point favorites over

Utah on Wednesday night. The over/under total for this game has been established at 53.5.

Utah is scoring 29.3 points per-game on offense thanks to a balanced offensive attack. Eddie Wide has rushed for 1,032 yards and 12 touchdowns to lead the way. The Golden Bears are giving up 24.5 points per-game on defense, and have the second worst passing defense in the Pac-10, having allowed 3,113 yards through the air on the season.

Cal is scoring 29.3 points per-game on the season thanks to its running game. The Bears will be without back Jahvid Best for this game, but Shane Vereen has been a great replacement, rushing for 830 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season in limited action. The Utes are giving up just 19.7 points per-game and have 15 interceptions as a team.

The key to this pick comes down to which team is more effective in running the ball. Vereen has been a load for opposing defenses to end the year, while Wide has been steady for

Utah. Should both running games struggle,

Cal has the more consistent of the two quarterbacks in Kevin Riley, who is capable of winning the game on his own if need be. Look for Riley and Vereen to lead

Cal down the field consistently and give the Bears the win. We suggest a pick of
Cal and the under as

Utah may struggle to score on the Bears.

Our Poinsettia Bowl Free Pick for this matchup is:

CALIFORNIA -3 and UNDER 53.5.
College Football Bowl Season Betting Trends


UTAH is 42-21 ATS (+18.9 Units) as an underdog since 1992.

UTAH is 24-10 ATS (+13.0 Units) when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.

UTAH is 26-13 ATS (+11.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1992.

CALIFORNIA is 13-27 ATS (-16.7 Units) when the line is +3 to -3 since 1992.

Utah is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games

The total has gone UNDER in 7 of

Utah‘s last 9 games

California is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games

California is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games

Bowl Season College Football Injury Report


UTAH

[RB] 12/06/2009 – Matt Asiata out for season ( Knee ) 

[DB] 12/06/2009 – Victor Spikes "?" Wednesday vs.

California ( Hand ) 

[DT] 12/17/2009 – Kenape Eliapo is upgraded to probable Wednesday vs.

California ( Illness ) 

[RB] 12/07/2009 – Shaky Smithson is upgraded to probable Wednesday vs.

California ( Head ) 

[WR] 12/10/2009 – John Peel "?" Wednesday vs.

California ( Foot ) 

[QB] 12/14/2009 – Jordan Wynn probable Wednesday vs.

California ( Ankle ) 

CALIFORNIA

[TE] 09/06/2009 – Tad Smith out for season ( Knee ) 

[RB] 12/16/2009 – Jahvid Best is downgraded to doubtful Wednesday vs.

Utah ( Concussion ) 

[LG] 12/05/2009 – Matt Summers-Gavin "?" Wednesday vs.
Utah ( Concussion ) 
Poinsettia Bowl Odds

Utah Utes +3 Over 53.5 (+155)

California Golden Bears -3 Under 53.5 (-175)
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Posted: 12/23/09 12:00PM ET