The Southern Utah Thunderbirds (1-0) take on the Utah Utes (0-1) in Salt Lake City Saturday at 1:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Southern Utah vs. Utah odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Utah is No. 15 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports. The Utes are coming off a tough fought loss in Week 1 at the Florida Gators. Trailing most of the game, the Utes had a chance to win in the final seconds, but an interception on the 6-yard line thrown by QB Cameron Rising was the final play in a 29-26 loss.
Southern Utah posted a dominant 44-13 victory against FCS-member St. Thomas-Minnesota last week. Although St. Thomas was a powerhouse in Division III, which propelled it to skip Division II entirely and enter the FCS, it was still not up for the challenge against Southern Utah. But this Saturday will be an entirely different test for the Thunderbirds – they won’t be the better team here.
Utah looks to win its first game of the season and extend its home winning streak at Rice-Eccles Stadium to 9 games. Plus, the Utes own a 26-game home win streak against non-conference foes.
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Southern Utah at Utah odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 10:01 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Off the board
- Against the spread (ATS): Southern Utah +44.5 (-108) | Utah -44.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): (O:58.5 -105 | U: -115)
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Southern Utah at Utah picks and predictions
Prediction
Utah 55 Southern Utah 13
Money line
With Utah such a huge favorite, the money line is off the board. If it is offered before kickoff, this should be a PASS.
Against the spread
SOUTHERN UTAH +44.5 (-112) is worth a small play.
Despite losing last week in “The Swamp,” Utah is still one of the top teams in college football. It is still a favorite to win the Pac-12.
Southern Utah is a middle of the road FCS team. The Thunderbirds are not at all a challenge in this one.
The only reason this is not a play on Utah is the fact it will be gearing up for its Sept. 17 home game with San Diego State.
After getting a comfortable lead against the T-birds, look for the Utes to rest players and get out of the game healthy. This one will not be close, but I can see the THUNDERBIRDS +44.5 (-112) with a backdoor cover.
Over/Under
BEST BET: OVER 58.5 (-105).
Even with Utah not taking Southern Utah seriously, the Utes will still score. A lot. Much like last week when North Carolina and Appalachian State went Over their O/U of 56.5, Utah could do the same here with this total. Even if the Utes come up a TD short, the Thunderbirds will score a few points, making this a great play.
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