Utah vs Utah State Betting Prediction, Odds & Picks – 9/14/2024

The Utah Utes will take on the Utah State Aggies on September 14, 2024, with the Utes favored by 18.5 points according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Early betting trends show 20% of spread bets on the Utes and 80% on the Aggies. The total points is set at 45 with 76% of bets on the over. It's shaping up to be an exciting matchup between these two in-state rivals and we have you covered with our Utah vs Utah State best bet below.

Quarterback Issues Rising For Utah

The Utah Utes have won their first two games of the college football season, winning 49-0 over FCS Southern Utah before beating Baylor 23-12. The Utes had Cam Rising available at quarterback for those first two games after he missed last season's action due to injury. But Rising's health status is in doubt once again this week, as he is unlikely to play this week after leaving last week's game against Baylor due to a hand injury.

Without Rising, we should see Utah follow a similar formula to what we saw from them a season ago. That formula was for Utah to play defense and run the football as much as possible. But that is a huge disappointment after a start to the season where it looked like Rising could lead Utah to great things. We will see how much the absence of Rising will impact Utah in the short-term, but there is certainly potential that it will hurt them if he is out during conference play.

Can Utah State Take Advantage Of Huge Home Opportunity?

Utah State is 1-1 this season, beating FCS Robert Morris in their season opener before getting blown out in a 48-0 loss on the road against USC. Here, Utah State faces another power conference opponent and they are a huge underdog as a result. But playing at home and facing a Utah team whose starting quarterback is injured could give the Aggies a chance in this Utah vs Utah State matchup from Logan.

Utah State's biggest question going into this contest will be whether or not their passing game can get going in any meaningful way. Utah has one of the best defenses in the country, which will not change whether or not Rising is able to play. But Utah State quarterback Bryson Barnes, who spent three years at Utah before transferring to Utah State, has averaged just 150.5 passing yards per game to start the season. Against his former team, he has to be better in order to give his team a shot in this contest.

Utah vs Utah State Best Bet

The quarterback storylines in this game are certainly compelling and will have a lot to do with the outcome of this contest. Rising's injury, combined with Barnes looking to prove himself against his former team, could make this game closer than anticipated. We will take the points with Utah State even if they aren't likely to win this game outright at home.

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