The Utah Utes (+1) are heading west to face their Pac-12 nemesis Washington State Cougars at Clarence D. Martin Stadium. Pac-12 Networks will televise the action and kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET.
Utah Utes at Washington State Cougars Betting Preview
In this Saturday Pac-12 game, Washington State is projected as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 1 point. The Utes are also receiving -115 moneyline odds while the Cougars are -105. Multiple good live betting opportunities may present themselves during the showdown.
The opening line was originally set at -2, but has recently shifted.
The Utes are 1-2 against the spread (ATS) and have recorded 0.0 units so far. They’ve been a good under bet and have recorded an O/U mark of 0-2. The Cougars have gained 0.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 4-0 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-1.
The Utes have gone 2-1 straight up (SU), including 0-1 SU against conference opponents. The Cougars are 3-1 SU overall and are also 0-1 SU in conference play.
The Utes fell to Washington 21-7 in a matchup where Tyler Huntley completed only 20 passes on 38 attempts for 138 yards and one interception. Zack Moss (67 rushing yards on 13 attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller Huntley (40 yards on 11 carries) led the running attack. Britain Covey (eight receptions, 54 yards) and Samson Nacua (eight catches, 46 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
One week ago, USC got the victory against this Washington State team by a score of 39-36. Gardner Minshew II completed 37-of-52 passes for 344 yards and three touchdowns. James Williams (54 yards on 17 rush attempts, one TD) led the running game while Jamire Calvin (seven receptions, 63 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Utah has run the ball on 47.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Washington State has a rush percentage of 28.5 percent. The Utes have run for 153 yards per game and have three touchdowns on the ground this year. The Cougars are logging 83 rushing yards per game and have nine total rush TDs.
It seems like the Utes might hold an edge in terms of RB effectiveness, since their backfield has produced 4.5 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 2.9 to opponents. The Cougars have registered 3.6 yards per carry and given up a YPC of 3.2 to opponents.
The Utes offensive scheme has averaged 248 yards through the air overall and has four passing TDs so far. The Cougars have put up an astonishing 402 pass yards per contest and have 12 total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Utah seems to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 112 rush yards and 93 pass yards per game. The Washington State defense has given up 159.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 100.5 yards per game to opposing runners. The Utes are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 1.78 to opposing QBs, while the Cougars have given up a 3.52 ANY/A.
Offensively, Huntley is up to 417 passing yards on the year, and has completed 58 percent of his 78 attempts with four passing scores and two interceptions. He has a 4.78 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 4.10 over the last two outings.
Britain Covey (133 receiving yards this season), Zack Moss (217 rush yards, two rush TDs, one receiving TD) and Samson Nacua (46 receiving yards) have all played key roles lately.
Gardner Minshew II has connected on 109-of-160 passes for 1,077 yards, nine TDs and three INTs for Washington State. His ANY/A sits at 6.96 for the season and 8.04 over his last two games.
Easop Winston Jr. (170 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns this season), Davontavean Martin (142 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) and James Williams (172 rush yards, two rush TDs, 121 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) have combined for 482 total yards and eight touchdowns over the past couple of games.
When these two teams faced each other last year, Washington State got the victory 33-25.
Free Pick: Utah Utes vs. Washington State Cougars
SU Winner – Utah, ATS Winner – Utah
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Washington State D has produced 12 sacks on the year while Utah has seven.
The Washington State offense has lost one fumble this season while the Utah offense has let seven get away.
The Utes offense has created three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Cougars have accounted for one such play.
The Utah defense has allowed one pass play of 40 or more yards, while Washington State has given up four such plays.
The Utah offense has created five rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Washington State has created zero such runs.
The Utes defense has allowed two rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Cougars have given up four such runs.
Washington State was favored by 5 points in its last matchup and the O/U was 50.5. The over cashed and Washington State did not cover in the team’s 39-36 loss to USC.
Utah was getting 4 points in its last game and the Over/Under was 45.5. The under cashed and Utah failed to cover in the 21-7 defeat to Washington.
Utah has averaged 2.8 yards per carry over its last two matchups.
Washington State has averaged 3.4 yards per carry over its last two.
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