Utah vs. Arizona Prediction
Will No. 23 Utah be able to go on the road and cover the spread against Arizona when these two Pac-12 foes meet up tonight at 10:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Utah is favored on the road in this game, as the Utes are getting odds of -3.5 points against Arizona. The over/under total for the game has been set at 60 points. Arizona has won and covered the spread in four of its last five games against Utah. Tonight’s game will take place from Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona and air live on FS1.
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Arizona is 2-1 to start the season with a 2-1 record against the spread. The Wildcats failed to cover in the one game it was a dog, a 19-16 loss at home to Houston. The Arizona offense is rolling along, putting up 47 points per game. Arizona has managed to do most of that offensive damage on the ground, rushing for 328 yards per contest. Five different players have over 100 yards rushing so far, led by Brandon Dawkins. Dawkins has 251 yards and five touchdowns on 34 carries. He also is the quarterback and has thrown for 422 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, Arizona has been stingy, allowing just 19.7 points per game this season. They also give up 387.7 yards per game.
Utah is off to a 3-0 start heading into conference play, picking up wins over North Dakota, BYU and San Jose State. The Utes are also a perfect 3-0 against the spread. Utah is led this season by its defense, which is giving up only 15 points per game. The unit is also allowing only 246 total yards per game, including just 49.3 yards per game on the ground. On offense, Utah is putting up 36.7 points and 476.7 yards per game. Quarterback Tyler Huntley has thrown for 868 yards and five touchdowns while also rushing for a team-high 212 yards and three scores. Receiver Darren Carrington II has been tough to stop, as he has 26 catches for 409 yards and four touchdowns.
This definitely could be a trap game for Utah, as Arizona could be getting overlooked. However, the Wildcats are 1-7 against the spread in their last 8 conference games and just 4-13 ATS in their last 17 games overall. Utah has been strong on the road, covering in their last four road games and in their last four games in September. Arizona has its strengths, but Utah has a toughness the Wildcats lack. I like Utah to grind out defensive stops while being able to move the ball with relative ease.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: UTAH -3.5