It’s time for Utah to show whether it’s for real or not.
Oddsmakers don’t believe Utah is there just yet.
The Utes are a top-five team in college football rankings, but Utah will enter this week’s game as a field-goal underdog.
Here are two games we’ll keep an eye on this weekend. Last week’s betting guide for each major conference went 4-4, with a 1-1 mark in the Pac-12. Overall for the season, the betting guides have been 10-4 in the Pac-12 and 35-33 overall in the power-five conferences.
Utah (+3) at USC
The Trojans made a valiant effort last week against Notre Dame. In the end, the Irish exploded in the fourth quarter and the Trojans just couldn’t get over the hump.
The Utes, meanwhile, didn’t look good for three quarters. Eventually, though, they woke up and remained undefeated.
Last week, we bet against the Utes based on the offense just not being consistent enough to maintain this high standing. That was prevalent for three quarters. We’ll give the Utes credit, though, for coming back and not only winning, but covering the spread against Arizona State.
We know gamblers are looking to find the perfect opportunity to bet against the Utes, because eventually, they will likely fall.
But we don’t see this as the game. For much of this season, USC hasn’t shown enough of an identity on offense for us to believe the Trojans will be able to move the ball on the Utes. Even last week, the Trojans looked good on offense for most of the game, but couldn’t stay consistent throughout.
That won’t work in this game. We know Utah is on the road, but we like the value with this pick. — Go against the chalk with Utah
Washington State (+7.5) at Arizona
This will likely be a hot pick, as the opening line has dropped by a point.
The Wildcats and Cougars have two losses apiece between them, but we’ve been more encouraged lately by Washington State. Arizona struggled on the road last week against Colorado and that was with starting quarterback Anu Solomon in the lineup.
The Cougars, meanwhile, have looked good since an opening week loss to Portland State. Many gave up on the Cougars, but we weren’t so quick with the hook.
Washington State exercised its demons against Oregon two weeks ago and then didn’t lay an egg last week to Oregon State. Even three weeks ago, the Cougars competed well on the road against the Golden Bears.
Washington State has an offense to keep up with Wildcats and this game should be a shootout. — Go against the chalk with Washington State
Other Pac-12 games
Odds provided by Oddsshark
California at UCLA (-3)
Washington at Stanford (No line provided)
Colorado at Oregon State (-2)
