We’re not sure how good Utah actually is, but the Utes escaped another test last week.
California couldn’t stop turning over the ball last week against Utah, but still found itself in the game late in the fourth quarter. That doesn’t sound good for the Utes going forward, considering the Golden Bears were trying to give away the game, and Utah still couldn’t pull away.
Utah has another game this week that should be a challenge, especially with Arizona State starting to find its way on both sides of the ball.
Here are two games we’ll keep an eye on this weekend. Last week’s betting guide for each power-five conference went 4-6, with a 1-1 mark in the Pac-12. Overall for the season, the betting guides have been 9-3 in the Pac-12 and 31-29 overall in the power-five conferences.
Arizona State (+7) at Utah
We’re not sold on Utah’s offense.
Last week, the Utes had several opportunities to break open that game against California, and it couldn’t do it. Good teams win games, but great teams don’t let the opposition to hang around. Utah is a good team, but it’s not elite.
Devontae Booker is one of the best running backs in the nation. But if Utah is forced to pass, we’re not sold on Travis Wilson. In close games, the Utes will need him to step up, and we don’t see him winning a game in the end.
The Sun Devils, meanwhile, have quietly been playing better. They’re 2-0 straight up and against the spread since being crushed at home to USC. Arizona State is battle-tested, already facing Texas A&M, USC and UCLA this season, and the offense is making strides.
Quarterback Mike Bercovici has seven touchdowns, compared to two interceptions in the last two games. Expect the Sun Devils to be able to move the ball against the Utes and to cover the spread. — Go against the spread with Arizona State
Arizona at Colorado (+8)
At some point the Buffaloes are going to reach their potential.
What better time than against the Wildcats?
Arizona hasn’t done anything against decent competition this year. The Wildcats have blown out Oregon State, Northern Arizona and Nevada. But against teams with a pulse, they’ve lost to 111-47 combined to UCLA and Stanford. Granted, those teams are much better than Colorado, but the Buffaloes do have more talent than in years past.
Getting Colorado at home helps, so we’re taking the points. Expect this game to be high-scoring and close in the fourth quarter. — Go against the chalk with Colorado
Other Pac-12 games
Odds provided by Oddsshark
UCLA at Stanford (-7)
Oregon State at Washington State (-8)
Southern California at Notre Dame (-7)
Oregon at Washington (-3)
