Utah Utes (2-0) vs. Utah State Aggies (1-1)
September 14, 2024 4:30 pm EDT
The Line: Utah State Aggies +22 / Utah Utes -22; Over/Under: +46.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Utah Utes and the Utah State Aggies will meet Saturday in college football action from Maverik Stadium. Here’s a Utah State vs Utah prediction. We will be looking at this from a betting perspective and determining the best Utah State vs Utah pick.
Utah Utes Betting Preview
The Utes’ first game of the year was against Southern Utah. The Utes didn’t have too many issues in that one during a 49-0 blowout win. Cameron Rising notched 254 pass yards and a whopping five scores. Dijon Stanley and Brant Kuithe combined for seven receptions, 219 yards, and five touchdowns.
In game two versus Baylor, the Utes scored 17 points in the first quarter and held on for the victory 23-12. Rising had 92 yards and two scores this time. Micah Bernard rushed 19 times for 118 yards, while Money Parks had three grabs for 80 yards and a score.
Utah State Aggies Betting Preview
Over on the Utah State side, they were down 14-10 to Robert Morris at halftime in their opener but eventually corrected themselves in a 36-14 win. Bryson Barnes had 198 pass yards and two scores (along with a rush TD). Kyrese Rowan caught three balls for 131 yards and two TDs.
Utah State played USC last weekend. The Aggies were down 27-0 by halftime and eventually fell in a blowout loss 48-0. Barnes had 103 yards and an interception through the air, and Rahsul Faison added 54 yards from his nine carries. Utah State will meet Temple after this one.
Why the Utah State Aggies will win
- Utah has lost five of its last seven September games as a road favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Utah State has won 17 of its last 22 home games in September.
- Utah has failed to cover the spread in eight of its last nine road games in September.
- The underdog has covered the spread in three of Utah State’s last four games.
Why the Utah Utes will win
- Utah has won 16 of its last 17 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Utah State has lost each of its last eight September games as an underdog.
- Utah State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
- Utah has covered the spread in four of its last five games against opponents from the Mountain West Conference.
- Utah State has lost the first half in seven of its last eight games against non-conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Utah’s last seven games in September has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of Utah State’s last four games as an underdog against top-15 AP-ranked teams has gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Utah ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- Utah ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
Utah State vs Utah Prediction
I’m leaning toward Utah. I could probably go either way here, though. The Utes started out great in their matchup versus Baylor, then scored exactly zero points in the second half. The good news is that Utah’s defense was in fine form, giving up 223 total yards (115 passing), 3.7 yards per play, and just 12 first downs.
As for Utah State, they were crushed by a great USC team in their last outing. The Aggies managed 190 total yards (103 passing), 10 first downs and a 2-of-11 success rate on third-down tries. This weekend may be a little easier to move the ball, but I don’t think the Aggies will quite cover.
