The Utah Utes and Houston Cougars meet Saturday in week 9 college football action at TDECU Stadium. Here’s a Houston vs Utah Prediction. This article will include a Houston vs Utah Pick.
Utah Utes Betting Preview
The Utah Utes lost to TCU and Arizona State, and they play BYU next. Utah has split its last 8 road games. Cameron Rising is completing 51.5 percent of his passes for 555 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Dorian Singer and Brant Kuithe have combined for 855 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Money Parks has 20 receptions.
The Utah Utes ground game is averaging 159.6 yards per contest, and Micah Bernard leads the way with 731 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Utah is allowing 16.4 points and 305.6 yards per game. Tao Johnson leads the Utah Utes with 43 tackles, Van Fillinger has 5.5 sacks and Elijah Davis has 2 interceptions.
Houston Cougars Betting Preview
The Houston Cougars beat TCU, lost to Kansas, and they play Kansas State next. The Houston Cougars have lost 5 of their last 6 home games. Donovan Smith is completing 65.4 percent of his passes for 867 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. Mekhi Mews and Stephon Johnson have combined for 420 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Joseph Manjack IV has 15 receptions.
The Houston Cougars ground game is averaging 135.4 yards per contest, and Stacy Sneed leads the way with 245 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Houston is allowing 23.6 points and 319.6 yards per game. Michael Batton leads the Houston Cougars with 46 tackles, Keith Cooper Jr. has 2.5 sacks and A.J. Haulcy has 3 interceptions.
Why the Houston Cougars will win
- Utah has lost each of its last three games as a favorite.
- The underdog has won each of Utah’s last three games.
- Utah has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
- The underdog has covered the spread in five of Utah’s last six games.
- Utah has lost the first half in each of its last three games against conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of Houston’s last nine games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Five of Utah’s last six games against conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Houston ranks 134th among FBS teams for H2 points per game this season (4.6).
- Houston ranks 134th among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (57.1).
- Utah ranks 5th among FBS teams for time of possession per game this season (34:08).
- Utah ranks 7th among FBS teams for 1st downs against this season (98).
Houston vs Utah Prediction
The Utah Utes should win this game on paper, but they also should’ve beat Arizona State, Arizona, and TCU. Utah has a quarterback issue with the inconsistent play of Isaac Wilson and the injuries with Cameron Rising. Houston has serious offensive issues, but the defense is good enough, which includes a top-20 pass defense. Utah is well-coached, solid defensively, and has a power-rushing attack, but I can’t lay points with the Utes given the QB situation, especially on the road. It’s Houston or pass for me.