The Utah Utes (+1) are set to face off against the Washington State Cougars at Clarence D. Martin Stadium. Kickoff for this vital conference showdown is set for 6:00 p.m. ET and Pac-12 Networks is in line to have the TV rights. When the two schools met a year ago, Washington State earned the win 33-25.
Betting Preview: Washington State Cougars vs. Utah Utes
In this Saturday Pac-12 game, Washington State is projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 1 point. The Utes are also receiving -115 moneyline odds while the Cougars are -105. If one team can create a bunch of points early, it would probably result in a solid in-game betting scenario.
The line originally opened at -2, but has recently shifted.
The Utes are 1-2 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 0.0 units so far. They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an Over-Under record 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 are 2-1 straight up (SU), including 0-1 SU against Pac-12 opponents. The Cougars are 3-1 SU overall and are also 0-1 SU in conference play.
The Utes lost to Washington 21-7 in a contest where Tyler Huntley completed just 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) mounted the running attack. Britain Covey (eight receptions, 54 yards) and Samson Nacua (eight catches, 46 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Washington State narrowly dropped a 39-36 game to USC. The team’s defensive unit allowed the Trojans to rush for 113 yards on 31 attempts, including two rush TDs. Stephen Carr put up a solid showing for USC, recording 77 rushing yards on eight attempts. For Washington State, Gardner Minshew II completed 37-of-52 passes for 344 yards and three touchdowns. James Williams (54 rushing yards on 17 attempts, one TD) led the running game while Jamire Calvin (seven receptions, 63 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Utah’s run the ball on 47.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Washington State has an overall rush percentage of 28.5 percent. The Utes have run for 153.0 yards per game and have three scores on the ground this year. The Cougars are putting up 82.8 rush yards per game and have nine total rushing TDs.
If 2018 numbers are any indication, then it’s looking like the Utes might have the edge in terms of effectiveness in the ground game, as their backfield has produced 4.5 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 2.9 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Cougars have ran for 3.6 yards per carry and allowed 3.2 YPC to opponents.
The Utes offensive scheme has averaged 247.7 yards in the air overall and has four passing scores so far. The Cougars have produced a superb 401.8 pass yards per game and have 12 total pass TDs.
Utah seems to hold the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team’s let opponents run for an average of 111.7 yards and pass for 93.0 yards per game. The Washington State D has allowed 159.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 100.5 yards per game on the ground. The Utes are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 1.78 to opponents, while the Cougars have allowed a 3.52 ANY/A.
Offensively, Huntley has put up 417 passing yards this year. He’s connected on 58 percent of his 78 attempts with four passing scores and two interceptions. Huntley’s got a 4.78 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 4.10 over the last two outings.
As a group, Britain Covey, Zack Moss and Samson Nacua have combined for 396 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns over the last couple of outings.
Gardner Minshew II has completed 109-of-160 passes for 1,077 yards, nine TDs and three INTs for Washington State. His ANY/A stands at 6.96 for the year and 8.04 over his last two games.
Easop Winston Jr. (170 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns on the year), 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 the last two games.
Utah Utes vs. Washington State Cougars NCAA Tip
SU Winner: Washington State, ATS Winner: Washington State
Betting Notes
- Utah was getting 4 points in its previous game and the O/U going into it was 45.5. The under cashed and Utah failed to cover in the 21-7 defeat to Washington.
- As a team, Utah has rushed for 2.8 yards per carry over its last two matchups.
- Washington State has averaged 3.4 YPC over its last two.
- The Washington State offense has lost one fumble this season while Utah has lost seven.
- Washington State was favored by 5 points in its last game and the Over/Under was set at 50.5. The over cashed and Washington State failed to cover in that 39-36 defeat to USC.
- The Utes offense has produced three pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Cougars have put up 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 or more, 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.
- The Washington State defensive unit has sacked opposing quarterbacks 12 times this year. Utah has recorded seven sacks.
