Utah vs BYU Prediction
I love my underdogs in rivalry games, and the underdog has cashed in 7 of the last 10 games between Utah and BYU. You can talk yourself into the points with the Cougars. However, I’m just not stepping in front of Utah, who is undefeated and 7-1 ATS. Utah has one of the best offenses in the country; that’s eighth in rushing offense and 12th in scoring offense. BYU has looked shaky after its upset win over Notre Dame, as it lost to UCF as more than a touchdown favorite and allowed Arizona State to hang around as a 17.5-point favorite.
It feels like BYU is taking a step back all of a sudden while Utah has been humming all season long. I’m going to lay the points with the Utes in this in-state rivalry with playoff implications on the line.
BYU Cougars Betting Preview
The BYU Cougars lost to UCF, beat Arizona State, and they play Baylor next. BYU has won 7 of its last 8 games. Bear Bachmeier is completing 63.1 percent of his passes for 1,750 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. Legend Glasker and Kyler Kasper have combined for 1,015 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, while Walker Lyons has 24 receptions.
The BYU Cougars’ ground game averages 175.4 yards per contest, and LJ Martin leads with 344 yards and 3 touchdowns. On defense, BYU allows 18.8 points and 298.8 yards per game. Cade Uluave leads the BYU Cougars with 52 tackles, Tausili Akana has 3.5 sacks, and Evan Johnson has 1 interception.
Utah Utes Betting Preview
The Utah Utes beat Cincinnati and Houston, and they play Arizona next. Utah has won 14 straight. Devon Dampier is completing 69.8 percent of his passes for 1,876 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. Braden Pegan and Creed Whittemore have combined for 852 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, while Wayshawn Parker has 26 receptions.
The Utah Utes ground game is averaging 226.9 yards per contest, and Wayshawn Parker leads the way with 726 yards and 9 touchdowns. Defensively, Utah is allowing 15.9 points and 330.4 yards per game. Trey Reynolds leads the Utah Utes with 46 tackles, Karson Kaufusi has 3 sacks, and Jackson Bennee has 2 interceptions.
Why the Utah Utes will win
- Utah has won each of its last 14 games.
- BYU has lost each of its last four November games against AP-ranked teams.
- Utah has covered the spread in eight of its last nine games.
- BYU has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six November road games as a top-15 AP-ranked team.
- The team ranked 3rd in the AP Poll has won the first quarter in each of its last eight games.
- Utah has won the first half in each of its last six home games against teams from Utah.
Why the BYU Cougars will win
- BYU has won each of its last 12 games in Utah.
- Utah has lost five of its last six games as a top-10 AP-ranked team against an AP-ranked team.
- BYU has covered the spread in nine of its last 10 games as an underdog in Utah.
- Utah has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four games as a top-10 AP-ranked team against an AP-ranked team.
- BYU has won the first quarter in each of its last four games.
- BYU has won the first half in 11 of its last 12 games in Utah.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Utah’s last six November games against AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
- Seven of BYU’s last eight games against top-15 AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
Utah Utes Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 10, Daniel Bray ranks 1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (100.0%) this season.
BYU Cougars Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 10, Bear Bachmeier ranks 10th amongst qualified players for sack percentage (2.3%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Utah ranks 1st among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (0.8).
- Utah ranks 1st among FBS teams for average point differential in first quarters this season (+10.4).
- BYU ranks T134th among FBS teams for sacks this season (5.0).
- BYU ranks T12th among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (2.5).