Utah vs Penn State 1/2/23 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Penn State Nittany Lions and Utah Utes meet Monday in the college football Rose Bowl Game at the Rose Bowl. The Penn State Nittany Lions look for 11 victories for the 19th time in school history. The Utah Utes look for 11 victories for the fourth time in school history.

The Penn State Nittany Lions have won 4 of their last 5 non-home games. Sean Clifford is completing 63.6 percent of his passes for 2,543 yards, 22 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley have combined for 1,139 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, while Brenton Strange has 32 receptions. The Penn State Nittany Lions ground game is averaging 182.1 yards per contest, and Nicholas Singleton leads the way with 941 yards and 10 touchdowns. Defensively, Penn State is allowing 18 points and 318.2 yards per game. Ji’Ayir Brown leads the Penn State Nittany Lions with 66 tackles, Abdul Carter has 6.5 sacks and Zakee Wheatley has 2 interceptions.

The Utah Utes have won 4 of their last 6 non-home games. Cameron Rising is completing 66.2 percent of his passes for 2,939 yards, 25 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Dalton Kincaid and Devaughn Vele have combined for 1,485 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, while Money Parks has 25 receptions. The Utah Utes ground game is averaging 220.5 yards per contest, and Travion Thomas leads the way with 687 yards and 7 touchdowns. Defensively, Utah is allowing 20.4 points and 325.3 yards per game. Cole Bishop leads the Utah Utes with 77 tackles, Gabe Reid has 5.5 sacks and Clark Phillips III has 6 interceptions.

The Nittany Lions are 13-6-1 ATS in their last 20 non-conference games and 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Utes are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 non-conference games and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The over is 5-2 in Nittany Lions last 7 games overall. The over is 4-1 in Utes last 5 non-conference games.

This is going to be one of the better bowl games of the season, as these are two physical, well coached teams that I’m sure what to make a statement. I’ve always been high on the Utah Utes, and it’s nice to see them getting respect from oddsmakers. With that said, Penn State in the underdog role is where the value is here. Penn State is a well above average team on both sides of the ball, and its 2 losses this season came against playoff teams. The Penn State Nittany Lions will be a legit playoff contender themselves next year with all the talent they’re bringing back, and I suggest they’d like to head into that season with even more momentum. Don’t sleep on the Nittany Lions. Give me the points.