Utah vs UCLA College Football Odds Analysis

The Utah Utes and UCLA Bruins both had legitimate four-team playoff hopes at different points of the 2015 NCAA Football betting campaign, though Utah’s chances lasted longer and were clearly more legitimate. Now however, with both teams coming off damaging losses in their respective Week 11 contests, only one thing matters….getting the win in this all-important Pac-12 pairing. With that said and the weekend quickly approaching, let’s get started.

How To Bet the Bruins vs Utes NCAA Football Odds, TV & Game Info

When: Saturday, November 21, 3:30 PM ET Where: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah TV: FOX NCAAF Odds: Utah -2 Over/Under: 56.5

Focused on what’s ahead. #BeatUTAH #BruinRevolution pic.twitter.com/1fxwFtr1yg

— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) November 19, 2015

Betting on the UCLA Bruins (7-3 SU, 4-5 ATS)

UCLA had its three-game winning streak snapped in their heartbreaking 31-27 home loss against Washington State while never coming close to covering the spread as an 11.5-point home fave. Freshman quarterback Josh Rosen completed 33 of 57 passes for 340 yards but failed to throw a touchdown in the loss. Gifted running back Paul Perkins rushed for 121 yards on 20 carries, but he too, failed to find the end zone. In the end, the Bruins couldn’t overcome two costly lost fumbles or the Cougars’ potent offense. “It’s a great conference. I think we’re eating ourselves up a little bit,” Bruins coach Jim Mora Jr. said after the loss. “It’s unfortunate, but it’s a great conference. Very competitive, it’s hard. There’s no easy week.” The good news for UCLA however is that they’ve won 11 of their last dozen road games. “I don’t know if it’s these kids’ DNA or their background or what it is, but when they’re the underdog and people tell them they can’t do it and they’re on the road in a hostile environment, something happens to them,” Mora said. “They rise up. I would hope that could happen again for us.” UCLA is ranked 32nd in scoring (35.2 ppg) and 55th in points allowed (25.2 ppg).

Betting on the Utah Utes (8-2 SU, 5-5 ATS)

The Utes have had their playoff hopes derailed by suffering two losses over the last four weeks, including their heartbreaking 37-30 double overtime loss against Arizona last Saturday. Now, the Utes enter this Week 12 matchup with a heightened sense of urgency as they look to keep their Pac-12 title hopes alive. “These next two weeks will be very interesting,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “We have no margin for error, obviously. Our backs are to the wall and we’ve got to find a way to beat UCLA this weekend. USC has two tough games at Oregon and UCLA the next week. So, anything can happen and we’re by no means out of it. Utah quarterback Travis Wilson completed 20 of 31 passes for 219 yards with two touchdowns and one interception while running back Devin Booker rushed for 145 yards and one score on 34 carries. “He runs with a real passion to get yards. He’s an exceptional player,” Mora said. “I’m glad he’s a senior. I look forward to watching him on Sundays next year and not Saturdays because he’s a special player.” Utah went 8-for-17 on third downs while limiting the Wildcats to just 3-for-11 success. The Utes won the time of possession battle by over 15 minutes but they couldn’t stop Arizona when it mattered most, getting outscored 10-3 in overtime. “They’re still moping around, some of them,” cornerback Justin Thomas said of his teammates. “That’s pretty tough, but we’ve just got to be positive about the situation. We’ve got two more games left.” The Utes are ranked 40th in scoring (33.4 ppg) and 44th in points allowed (23.1 ppg).

My Expert UCLA @ Utah Game Analysis and Pick

I’d really like the Utah Utes to win and cover the spread in this contest after watching their four-team playoff hopes slip away over the last few weeks. A convincing 66 percent of the betting public agrees. The Bruins are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games, but Utah has put together an identical 4-1 ATS record over their last five games following an ATS loss, while also compiling a consistent 11-4 ATS mark in their last 15 games against a team with a winning record. Utah is also 4-1 ATS in their last five games against the Bruins, making them my pick to win and cover the spread in this contest. My Betting Pick: Utah 27 UCLA 24