Utah State Aggies vs Utah Utes Picks and Predictions September 14th 2024

At 4:30 ET, Utah Utes and Utah State Aggies will face off on Merlin Olsen Field At Maverik Stadium in Logan. The game is being broadcast on CBSS. -21.5 points favor the Utes, and the over/under line is currently set at 46.5 points. Utah is 2-0 on the season, while Utah State comes in with a 1-1 record. The money line odds have Utah at -2435 and Utah State at +1053.

For a deeper understanding of how these odds can impact your bets, check out our Football Betting Guide.

Utah vs. Utah State Key Information

• Teams: Utes at Aggies
• Where: Merlin Olsen Field At Maverik Stadium Logan
• Date: Saturday, September 14th
• Betting Odds UTAH -2435 | UTAHST +1053 O/U 46.5

The Utes Can Win If…

Utah is now 2-0 after their 23-12 win over Baylor. Despite being -14.5 point favorites, the Utes didn’t cover the spread, and the combined score of 35 points was under the 54.5-point over/under line.

Utah dominated early, taking a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. After Baylor added a field goal in the second, the Utes added to their lead, making it 23-3 at halftime. Baylor outscored Utah 9-0 in the third quarter, but the Utes’ defense held strong in the fourth, not allowing any points to Baylor.

Utah’s offense, led by quarterback Cameron Rising, put up 298 total yards in their 23-12 win over Baylor. Rising completed 8 of 14 passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns, ending the game with a passer rating of 116.67. Money Parks was the leading receiver, with three catches for 80 yards and a touchdown.

The Utes’ ground game was strong, with 176 rushing yards on 34 carries. Micah Bernard led the way with 118 yards on 19 attempts, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Utah’s two passing touchdowns came on just 122 yards through the air.

Utah’s defense allowed just 12 first downs and 223 total yards in their most recent game, holding Baylor to 12 points. The Utes were particularly effective against the run, limiting Baylor to 108 rushing yards on 40 attempts. In the passing game, Utah gave up 115 yards and one touchdown on 9 completions out of 21 attempts.

• Utah has put together a record of 2-1 over their past three games. Their record vs the spread in these matchups is less impressive at 1-2, while posting an over-under record of 0-3.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Utah has a record of 6-4. In these contests, the team went just 5-5 against the spread, while going 5-5 on the over-under.

If you’re already familiar with football betting basics, take a look at our NCAAF Picks to make smarter wagers.

The Aggies Can Win If…

Utah State is looking to bounce back after a 48-0 loss to USC on the road. The Aggies, who were +31 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread, and the game’s total score of 48 points fell short of the 64.5-point over/under line. This defeat evened Utah State’s record at 1-1 for the season.

USC took control early, leading 10-0 after the first quarter. The Aggies were outscored 17-0 in the second quarter, and they were unable to put any points on the board, leading to a 48-0 defeat. Utah State trailed 27-0 at halftime and 34-0 after the third quarter, with USC adding 14 more points in the final quarter.

Utah State’s offense was held to just 190 total yards in their 48-0 loss to USC. The Aggies managed 10 first downs but struggled to establish a ground game, finishing with 87 rushing yards on 23 attempts. In the passing game, they added 103 yards on 18 completions from Bryson Barnes, who threw for 103 yards and one interception, ending the game with a passer rating of 58.1.

Rahsul Faison led the team in rushing with 54 yards on nine carries, averaging 6 yards per attempt. Jalen Royals was the top receiver for Utah State, recording six receptions for 47 yards.

Utah State’s defense will be looking to rebound after giving up 548 total yards to USC in their last game. The Aggies were hit hard on the ground, allowing 253 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Through the air, they gave up 295 yards and one touchdown on 29 completions, while USC converted 7 of 14 third-down attempts.

• Through their last three regular season contests, Utah State has a record of 1-2. In these matchups, they ended with an ATS record of 0-3 and an over-under mark of 1-2.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Utah State has a record of 5-5. The team’s record vs the spread was just 5-5, in addition to an over-under mark of 7-3.

The Lean

Utah State is the +21.5 point underdog in their week three matchup against Utah. Our projected final score is 37-16 in favor of the Utes, but we like Utah State to cover the spread as the heavy home underdog.

With the over/under line set at 46.5 points, our projection of 53 combined points suggests that taking the over is the best play for this game.

QB Questions Abound as No. 12 Utah Faces Rival Utah State in ‘Battle of the Brothers’

After a decade-long hiatus, the “Battle of the Brothers” returns as the No. 12 Utah Utes (2-0) head to Logan, Utah, to take on their in-state rivals, the Utah State Aggies (1-1), on Saturday. This marks the 113th edition of a rivalry dating back to 1892 and the first meeting between the two schools since 2015.

QB Uncertainty Looms for Both Teams

Utah’s Quarterback Situation

The biggest storyline heading into this rivalry clash is the uncertainty surrounding Utah’s starting quarterback, Cameron Rising. Rising, who exited last week’s 23-12 victory over Baylor with a throwing hand injury, is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game. The injury occurred late in the second quarter when Rising was driven out of bounds, colliding with the sideline water coolers. While X-rays on Rising’s hand came back negative, his status for this weekend remains up in the air.

If Rising is unable to play, freshman Isaac Wilson is expected to make his first career start. Wilson took over in the second half against Baylor but struggled to ignite Utah’s offense, completing 4 of 9 passes for just 30 yards. After Rising’s departure, the Utes, who had built a 23-0 lead, managed just 95 total yards for the remainder of the game.

Despite the offensive stagnation, head coach Kyle Whittingham was quick to point out that Wilson’s performance wasn’t the sole reason for the Utes’ second-half struggles.

“Cam went out, and everything kind of deflated, which was disappointing,” Whittingham said. “The exact opposite should happen. If you lose a key player, then everyone else needs to pick up their game… It’s not just on Isaac Wilson to come in and pick it up — it’s on everyone around him.”

Utah State’s QB Dilemma: Petras or Barnes?

For Utah State, the quarterback situation is also in flux. Starting QB Spencer Petras has been sidelined with a left ankle sprain since the Aggies’ season-opening win over Robert Morris, and his status for Saturday remains uncertain. If Petras is unable to go, Utah State will once again rely on Bryson Barnes, who struggled in last week’s 48-0 loss to USC.

Barnes, a former Utah QB who transferred to Utah State, completed 18 of 27 passes for just 103 yards and one interception against the Trojans. Despite Barnes’ challenges, Utah State interim head coach Nate Dreiling expressed confidence in the junior quarterback.

“The first thing that always comes to my mind with Bryson is toughness,” Dreiling said. “Whether it’s mental or physical. He is a very hard-nosed player… You win championships with a great defense and a tough quarterback. We know we have a tough quarterback.”

With both teams facing potential quarterback changes, the focus will be on how well the backup signal-callers can perform under the pressure of this historic rivalry.

Once you’ve made your picks, it’s crucial to understand how odds affect your potential winnings. Visit our NCAAF Odds page for more information.

Rivalry History and Series Breakdown

This year’s game will mark the 113th installment of the “Battle of the Brothers,” a series that has deep roots in Utah’s football history. The Utes lead the all-time series 78-30-4, including victories in 11 of the last 12 matchups. The last time these two teams met was in 2015, with Utah winning 24-14 in Salt Lake City.

While Utah has dominated the rivalry, Utah State’s last win came in 2012, a 27-20 overtime thriller in Logan. That victory remains the Aggies’ only win over Utah since 1997, and they’ll be eager to pull off another upset on their home field.

For Utah, Saturday’s game marks their first road matchup against Utah State in over a decade. The Utes are looking to remain undefeated as they continue their push toward a potential College Football Playoff run, while Utah State aims to bounce back from their lopsided loss to USC and reignite their season with a win against their long-time rivals.

Key Storylines to Watch

Will Cameron Rising Play?

Cameron Rising’s injury status is the key factor for Utah heading into this game. If Rising is cleared to play, the Utes’ offense should have the firepower to overwhelm the Aggies. However, if Rising is sidelined, Isaac Wilson will need to step up and improve on his shaky debut last week. How Utah adjusts without their starting QB will play a significant role in the outcome of this game.

Utah State’s Quarterback Questions

If Spencer Petras isn’t able to return from his ankle injury, Bryson Barnes will once again start for Utah State. Barnes struggled mightily against USC, but facing his former team could give him extra motivation. How Barnes handles the pressure of the rivalry game, along with the support from Utah State’s ground game, will be crucial for the Aggies’ chances.

Utah’s Defense

Regardless of who starts at quarterback, Utah’s defense remains one of the best in the country. The Utes have allowed just 12 points per game through their first two contests, and their ability to stifle Utah State’s offense could relieve some of the pressure on their own QB situation.

Can Utah State Pull Off Another Upset in Logan?

The Aggies’ 2012 overtime win over Utah in Logan still resonates as one of the highlights of the rivalry. Utah State will need a complete team effort to pull off another upset, but home-field advantage and a strong running game give them a fighting chance.