Washington (1-1) at Utah (2-0)
When: Saturday, September 15th 2018
Where: Rice-Eccles Stadium,
Salt Lake City, Utah
Time: 10:00 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Washington -6.5/47.5
The Utah Utes were tabbed by many, including myself, to be a sleeper team when it comes to the Pac-12 and national race this season. Their first big test awaits them this Saturday night as the 12th-ranked Washington Huskies come to town in the conference opener for both teams. The Utes have had an easy time thus far, winning by a combined 58-16 over Weber State and Northern Illinois, while the Huskies had to play Auburn in the season opener, losing 21-16 to the seventh-ranked Tigers. Washington routed FCS-member North Dakota 45-3 last week, but now faces back-to-back conference tests against Pac-12 South teams currently off to 2-0 starts (Arizona State). Washington has dominated the series, winning 10 of the 11 meetings, but Utah has covered the spread in the last three, winning 34-23 on the road in 2015 and dropping close games the last two seasons.
The Huskies are led by senior quarterback Jake Browning, but he’s off to an inconsistent start, completing just 59.4 percent of his passes with as many interceptions (three) as touchdown passes so far. He threw two picks in last week’s route of North Dakota and seems to really be missing wideout Dante Pettis. Tailback Myles Gaskin rushed for 75 yards against Auburn but was held to 53 on 15 carries against North Dakota, but did record his first TD run of the season. On defense, linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven boasts a team-best 22 tackles, but the Huskies are not generating turnovers, getting only one fumble recovery and no interceptions in their first two contests.
The Utah defense has been terrific in their first two contests, leading the nation in total defense (143.5 yards allowed per game) and passing yards allowed (62.0). Linebacker Chase Hansen earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors after totaling 12 tackles, including a pair of sacks, recovering a fumble and returning an interception 40 yards for a TD to seal the win at Northern Illinois. Quarterback Tyler Huntley has thrown for 565 yards, four TDs and one interception while tailback Zack Moss has 246 yards from scrimmage and three scores.
This is one of the more underrated stadiums to play in, as Utah is 5-2-1 ATS in their last eight at Rice-Eccles. Browning has not looked sharp so far this season, and that’s not a good sign when facing this Utah defense. It will be a wild atmosphere in Salt Lake, and even though the Huskies are the better team, I see a close game here. Take the points.
Pick: Utah +5.5
Betting Trends:
- Huskies are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
- Huskies are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 conference games.
- Huskies are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
- Huskies are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games on fieldturf.
- Huskies are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Huskies are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Huskies are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Huskies are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
- Huskies are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games.
- Utes are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
- Utes are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games in September.
- Utes are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
- Utes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
- Utes are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
- Utes are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 home games.
- Utes are 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14 conference games.
- Utes are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Under is 4-0 in Huskies last 4 games in September.
- Under is 4-1-1 in Huskies last 6 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
- Over is 4-1 in Huskies last 5 conference games.
- Under is 6-2-1 in Huskies last 9 road games.
- Over is 9-3-1 in Huskies last 13 games following a ATS loss.
- Under is 6-2-1 in Huskies last 9 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
- Under is 8-3-1 in Huskies last 12 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
- Over is 7-3-1 in Huskies last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Under is 9-4 in Huskies last 13 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
- Over is 6-1 in Utes last 7 games following a ATS loss.
- Over is 6-1 in Utes last 7 games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game.
- Over is 5-1 in Utes last 6 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Under is 4-1 in Utes last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Over is 4-1 in Utes last 5 conference games.
- Over is 5-2 in Utes last 7 games on fieldturf.
- Under is 7-3 in Utes last 10 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
- Underdog is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
