Two schools that like to focus on their running games, Head Coach Kalani Sitake and the Byu Cougars (+14) are set to face off against the No. 18 Utah Utes (-14) at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The game starts at 10:00 p.m. ET and FS1 is scheduled to broadcast the action.
Betting Preview: BYU Cougars vs. Utah Utes
BYU is a live dog and is currently getting 14 points in this game. In order to take the home favorite, moneyline gamblers would currently need to put down $600 to win $100 back on the Utes (-600). The Cougars are getting +425 moneyline odds. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 44 points, and if one side gets out in front in the early stages, it would likely create a solid betting scenario in-game.
The Cougars are down 2.0 units so far in 2018 and 7-4 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U record of 2-9.
The Utes are up 2.2 units this season. The team is 7-4 ATS and owns an even O/U record of 5-5.
The Cougars have gone 6-5 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Utes are 8-3 SU.
Both teams enter the matchup on two-game winning streaks. The Cougars hope to keep things rolling after a 45-10 win over New Mexico State last week. The passing game wasn’t great as Zach Wilson completed just 12 passes on 26 attempts for 172 yards. Lopini Katoa (155 yards on 19 rush attempts, four TDs) and Riley Burt (61 yards on 10 carries) led the ground attack while Dallin Holker (four receptions, 76 yards) and Matt Bushman (three catches, 57 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
The Utah Utes take the field this week after just getting a lopsided 30-7 win over Colorado. The defensive unit did its part in the victory, keeping the Buffaloes to only 162 passing yards and 34 yards on the ground. Laviska Shenault Jr. was a bright spot in the loss, recording 64 yards on nine catches for Colorado. For Utah, Jason Shelley completed 11-of-23 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Armand Shyne (55 rushing yards on 17 attempts, one TD) handled the running attack as Jaylen Dixon (four receptions, 125 yards, one TD) and Cole Fotheringham (two catches, 37 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
BYU has run the ball on 55.3 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Utah has a rush percentage of 60.4 percent. The Cougars have produced 155.1 rush yards/game and have 22 scores on the ground this year. The Utes are totaling 201.7 rushing yards per game and have 20 total rush TDs.
If 2018 results are any indication, then it’s looking like the Utes could have an advantage in terms of effectiveness in the ground game. Their backfield has produced 4.7 yards per carry while the defense is allowing a YPC of 2.9 to opponents. The Cougars have recorded 4.2 yards per carry while allowing 3.6 YPC to opponents.
The Cougars offensive scheme has logged 199.2 yards/game in the air overall and has 12 passing scores so far. The Utes have recorded 221.9 pass yards per contest and have 16 total pass TDs.
BYU has let opponents rush for an average of 127.1 yards and throw for 200.5 yards per game. The Utah defense has allowed 216.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 95.5 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Cougars have given up an ANY/A of 5.03 to opposing QBs, while the Utes are allowing an ANY/A of 4.68.
Passing-wise, Wilson has amassed 890 yards this season. The signal-caller has connected on 68-of-113 attempts with four scores through the air and two interceptions. Wilson’s got a 5.95 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 7.26 over the last two outings.
The Cougars have tried to maintain the pace by putting the ball into the hands of their running backs. Lopini Katoa (423 rush yards, eight rush TDs, one receiving TD) and Matt Hadley (250 rush yards, three rush TDs) have brought significant production to the BYU offensive scheme.
For the home team, Jason Shelley has managed to complete 17-of-37 passes for 320 yards, two TDs and one INT. Shelley’s ANY/A sits at 7.63 for the year and 9.07 across his last two outings.
The Utes should also look to control the clock by turning to their backfield. In addition to Armand Shyne (five receiving yards), Jaylen Dixon (375 receiving yards and one receiving TD) and Britain Covey (120 rush yards, 574 receiving yards, one TD) have seen a lot of touches lately.
These two teams faced off last year with the final outcome being a 19-13 victory for Utah.
BYU Cougars vs. Utah Utes NCAA Tip
SU Winner: Utah, ATS Winner: Utah, O/U: Over
Team Betting Trends
- Both teams have lost nine fumbles this season.
- The Utah D has tallied 31 sacks on the year while BYU has just 23.
- BYU has averaged 4.9 yards per rush attempt across its last three outings and 5.9 over its last two.
- Utah has averaged 4.6 yards per carry over its last three games and 4.3 over its past two.
- In its last three matchups, Utah is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for BYU’s previous game going into it was 60.5. The under cashed in the team’s 45-10 win over New Mexico State.
- In its last three games, BYU is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The Over/Under for Utah’s last game was 48. The under cashed in that 30-7 win over Colorado.
- Utah has won seven of its last eight games SU, with a -18-point loss to Arizona State on November 3rd accounting for the only defeat over that span.
