Despite both teams entering off a tough loss to a conference opponent, UCLA and Utah meet in a showdown that could help determine the PAC-12 South race.
UCLA got out to an early 14-0 lead against Oregon a week ago, only to fall 34-31 at home. Utah, meanwhile, suffered a 42-34 loss to a surging Oregon State squad. Which team will rebound and get back in the win column Saturday night?
Check out our picks and predictions for the UCLA Bruins vs. the Utah Utes on Saturday, October 30 to find out.
UCLA vs Utah odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Utah opened as -4.5 favorites, but the line has moved to -6.5 across most books at the time of writing.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full college football odds before placing your bets.
UCLA vs Utah picks
Picks made on 10/27/2021 at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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UCLA vs Utah game info
• Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT
• Date: Saturday, October 30, 2021
• Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
UCLA vs Utah betting preview
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key injuries
UCLA: Dorian Thompson-Robinson QB (Probable), Chase Griffin QB (Questionable), Thomas Cole OL (Questionable), Patrick Selna OL (Questionable), Mo Osling III CB (Questionable), Caleb Johnson LB (Questionable), Kobey Fitzgerald LB (Questionable), Quintin Somersville DL (Questionable)
Utah: Theo Howard WR (Probable), Jaren Kump OL (Questionable)
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Bruins are 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings between these two schools. Find more NCAA betting trends for UCLA vs. Utah.
UCLA vs Utah predictions
Utah -6.5 (-110)
UCLA hasn’t reached a bowl game since 2017 but has a chance to reach eligibility with a win over Utah this weekend. Things are looking upward in Year 4 of the Chip Kelly era, but are the Bruins ready to compete with the top of the conference? Last week showed that they could hang tough with Oregon, but the team was badly outplayed over the final three quarters of the game and couldn’t capitalize on two late Anthony Brown turnovers.
No break will be offered in Week 9, as the Bruins pack their bags and head for Salt Lake City — never an easy place for PAC-12 teams (especially of the Southern California variety) to play once the weather starts getting colder.
The Utes have owned this matchup, going 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings between these two teams. They’ve looked like a different team since Cameron Rising took over at quarterback, going 3-1 with the only loss coming to a surging Oregon State squad. Rising has been great, accumulating over 300 total yards and multiple scores in each of his last three games. He should move the ball effectively against a moribund Bruins secondary ranked 125th in the country with 290.9 passing yards per game allowed.
This is a program that has unparalleled stability in the conference. Coach Kyle Whittingham is the longest-tenured head coach in the PAC-12. He’s been head coach since 2005 (winning 66.7% of his games) and has been with the program for 27 years in total, so we know what to expect — good coaching and great player development. The Utes appear to be hitting their stride, while UCLA has gone just 3-3 over its last six games.
As icing on the cake, UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson is questionable for this contest after leaving the game late last week with a hand injury and practicing in limited fashion this week. The four-year starter is integral to the Bruins’ attack, and either he’ll be playing at less than 100 percent, or we’ll see an inexperienced backup playing on the road at night in Salt Lake. Either scenario doesn’t speak any confidence on behalf of the Bruins.
Over 60.5 (-110)
This hasn’t been a defensive-first team like we’ve become accustomed to seeing in Utah. In four of the last five Utah games, the combined points have exceeded 56 — a testament to the change in style that has gradually occurred over the last two years.
UCLA’s secondary has been getting torched all season long. They rank 125th in the country at defending the pass and could get burned by Rising, who’s averaging 273.3 passing yards per game in his last three contests. Rising’s dual-threat ability could give the Bruins fits, similar to how Oregon dual-threat Anthony Brown threw for 296 yards last week while also rushing for 85 yards and a score.
UCLA has an impressive run game led by running backs Zach Charbonnet and Brittain Brown. Their 22nd-ranked ground game could find success against a Utes defense that has allowed over 200 rushing yards three times already this season. Most recently, Oregon State pounded the ball for 260 yards and three scores last week.
Both teams should be able to find their points and exploit the opposing team’s defensive weakness.
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