Kyle Whittingham’s Utah Utes begin the 2024 season as a new member of the Big 12 Conference tonight— and one expected to compete for the conference title as well.
Their quest for glory kicks off in Week 1 against an FCS opponent, the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, and our Southern Utah vs. Utah predictions are eyeing this massive 39.5-point spread. Read more in our college football picks below.
Southern Utah vs Utah prediction
My best bet
Southern Utah +39.5 (-105 at BetMGM)
My analysis
You know you’ve built a fearsome program when an 8-5 record is viewed as a down year. That’s exactly what Kyle Whittingham and the Utah Utes experienced a year ago. Still, they’re expected to compete for a Big 12 title this year with arguably their two best offensive weapons — quarterback Cam Rising and tight end Brant Kuithe — returning from injury.
First up is a home opener against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, an FCS opponent that finished 6-5 a year ago. They played two FBS opponents, falling 24-21 to Arizona State and 41-16 to BYU. Going back another year, you’ll see these Thunderbirds were slaughtered 73-7 by these same Utes. While the same thing could happen again here, I won’t be betting on a repeat.
Southern Utah is a better team than it was two years ago. It almost pulled off the outright upset over Arizona State last year and even the BYU final score was a tad misleading. The Thunderbirds held the Cougars to 46 yards rushing on 23 attempts (2.0 yards per rush) and were outgained by only 50 yards.
They’ll still lose the battle of the trenches against a veteran and physical Utah squad, but they won’t be quite as overmatched as some other FCS teams would be. The offensive line returns a wealth of experience and will look to tread water against a Utes defense that underperformed expectations a year ago, ranking 50th in EPA per play and 119th in explosiveness.
Cam Rising will have this offense humming at some point, but there may be some hiccups after such a long layoff. He still hasn’t played a regular season game in two years, and neither has Kuithe. Dorian Singer is expected to be the top wideout but is a new addition. The offensive line will be good, but it loses three starters including first and second All-Pac-12 teamers.
Southern Utah vs Utah same-game parlay (SGP)
Southern Utah +38
Over 53.5
Even though Utah’s offense needs to shake off the rust, it should score plenty in this game. The Utes should win through the air with Rising, Singer, and Kuithe, and the offensive line should create big running lanes.
Southern Utah managed 21 points against Arizona State and 16 points against BYU a year ago. While Utah’s defense is better than those teams, there wasn’t a huge gap statistically last year and the Utes were prone to allowing big plays.
Braedon Wissler and Targhee Lambson are two proven running backs and will have an offensive line in front of them that returns five players who featured in 10+ games a season ago.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Southern Utah vs Utah odds
Southern Utah vs Utah live odds
Southern Utah vs Utah opening odds
- Spread: Southern Utah +38.5 | Utah -38.5
- Moneyline: Southern Utah +1,600 | Utah -100,000
- Over/Under: Over 52.5 | Under 52.5
Southern Utah vs Utah spread and Over/Under analysis
- Utah has only covered the first-quarter spread in four of its last 12 games.
- Southern Utah went 0-5 ATS against FBS opponents from 2017 to August 2021. Since then, it has gone 3-1 ATS.
- Utah’s offense should be one of the most improved units in the country after finishing 105th in EPA per play a year ago. There could be opportunities in the betting market early in the season from a total and team-total perspective. Rising gives them arguably the biggest QB upgrade year-over-year of any team.
Southern Utah vs Utah betting trend to know
Southern Utah went 2-0 ATS against FBS teams last season with an average cover margin of 18.5 points. Find more college football betting trends for Southern Utah vs Utah.
Southern Utah vs Utah game info
| Location: | Rico-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT |
| Date: | Thursday, 8-29, 2024 |
| Kickoff: | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
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