Utah Utes vs Brigham Young Cougars Picks and Predictions November 9th 2024

Utah Utes vs BYU Cougars November 9th 2024

BYU is favored at -4 as they head into this week 11 matchup against the Utah Utes. The game is set for 10:15 ET at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City and will be broadcast on ESPN. The over/under line is currently 41.5 points. BYU comes in with an 8-0 record, while Utah is 4-4 on the season. The money line odds are -183 for BYU and +153 for Utah.

BYU vs. Utah Key Information

BYU enters Week 11 with a perfect 8-0 record, facing Utah. They are projected to be bowl-eligible and have a 36.6% chance of winning the Big 12. BYU also ranks 9th in the nation with a 58.9% chance of making the CFB playoff.

The Cougars have gone 3-0 as favorites and 4-0 as underdogs this season. Their average scoring margin is +15.5 points per game, and they have a 6-1 record against the spread, going 4-0 ATS on the road.

BYU’s over/under record is 5-2, with their games averaging 54.8 points. Their average over/under line is 49.6 points, and this week’s line is set at 41.5 points.

BYU’s offense is averaging 35.1 points per game, ranking 21st in the nation, and they are 22nd in our offensive power rankings heading into week 11. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff has thrown for 1,870 yards with 17 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 98. BYU is averaging 241.2 passing yards per game.

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On the ground, BYU is averaging 182.2 rushing yards per game. LJ Martin leads the team with 357 rushing yards, 5 touchdowns, and an average of 5 yards per carry. Darius Lassiter is the top receiver with 504 yards and 4 touchdowns on 31 catches.

BYU’s defense, ranked 17th nationally, is allowing just 19.6 points per game this season. They’ve given up 147.4 rushing yards per game and 185 passing yards, with opposing quarterbacks completing 52.2% of their throws and posting a passer rating of 55.4, the fourth-lowest in the country.

In their last game against UCF, BYU’s defense allowed 24 points and 602 total yards, including 308 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. UCF also threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns against BYU’s defense.

Utah enters Week 11 with a 4-4 record, ranked 53rd in our CFB power rankings. They have a 41.7% chance of becoming bowl-eligible. At home, the Utes are 1-2, while they’ve gone 2-2 on the road this season.

Despite being favored in seven of their eight games, Utah is 3-4 as the favorite. Their ATS record stands at 1-6, and they’ve been outscored by an average of 6.2 points per game.

Utah’s over/under record is 1-6, with their games averaging 39.2 points. This week’s line is 41.5 points, compared to their average line of 47.7 points.

Utah’s offense has struggled heading into week 11, ranking 109th in our offensive power rankings and averaging just 22.8 points per game, which places them 79th nationally. Their third-down conversion rate is a concerning 31.1%, and their passing game has been inconsistent, with a passer rating of 76, ranking 115th. They are 78th in passing yards, averaging 225 per game.

Quarterback Isaac Wilson has thrown for 1,200 yards with a passer rating of 72, matching his eight touchdowns with eight interceptions. Utah’s leading rusher, Micah Bernard, has 782 yards and averages 6 yards per carry. Dorian Singer leads the receivers with 540 yards on 39 catches but has yet to score a touchdown.

Utah’s defense has been strong this season, ranking 10th nationally by allowing just 16.5 points per game. In their recent game against Houston, they gave up only 17 points, but still lost 17-14. The defense allowed 234 total yards, including 123 rushing yards on 39 attempts and 111 passing yards.

Opposing quarterbacks have completed just 49.6% of their passes against Utah, the third-lowest rate in the country, with a passer rating of 67.8, ranking 13th nationally. Utah’s defense is allowing 169.5 passing yards per game (19th) and 140.9 rushing yards per game.

Our projections have Utah winning this matchup as home underdogs vs. BYU. The Utes are +4 point underdogs, and we expect them to win straight-up with a final score of 21-16.

With the over/under line set at 41.5 points, we recommend taking the under, as our model is projecting a combined 37 points.

No. 9 BYU, Utah Ready for Holy War as Big 12 Conference Rivals

For the first time since 2010, the Holy War between BYU and Utah has taken on new significance as the two storied programs clash as conference rivals in the Big 12. The stakes are high for both teams, especially with No. 9 BYU seeking to extend its undefeated season and Utah looking to salvage a rocky year.

BYU’s Perfect Season on the Line

The Cougars (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) are the only remaining undefeated team in the Big 12 and currently sit atop the conference standings. A win over Utah in Salt Lake City would put them one step closer to clinching a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game. BYU has been dominant on both sides of the ball, outscoring opponents while showing impressive balance.

The Cougars are averaging 35.1 points per game and 410.0 yards of total offense. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff has been at the helm of this potent attack, steadily improving each week.

“That’s the name of the game for our offense so far this year,” Retzlaff said. “You watch our progression game by game and we just look better and better with a more polished result week by week.”

Defensively, BYU has been opportunistic, leading the league in takeaways (18) and tying for the conference lead in interceptions (14). A total of 11 different players have snagged at least one pick this season, showcasing the depth and versatility of the Cougars’ defense.

“You have to buy into your 1/11th,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake emphasized. “I think our guys are doing a great job at it. Have we played perfect? No. Can we play better? Yes. And I’d like to see that happen this weekend.”

Utah Looking for Redemption Amid Losing Streak

The Utes (4-4, 1-4 Big 12) are in desperate need of a turnaround after dropping four consecutive games. For Utah, this game is about more than just pride; it’s a chance to regain some momentum for the remainder of the season. Despite their struggles, the Utes have historically had the upper hand in the rivalry, winning nine of the past 10 matchups dating back to 2010, with the exception of BYU’s 26-17 victory in 2021.

Utah running back Jaylon Glover sees Saturday’s game as an opportunity to turn the tide.

“To own the state of Utah, to sour out those guys’ season, it would be big for us and the team,” Glover said. “I just feel like if we come out (with a win) it would give us a boost for the remainder of the season.”

Quarterback Uncertainty for the Utes

The biggest question mark for Utah heading into the Holy War is at the quarterback position. After a 17-14 loss to Houston, where starter Isaac Wilson was benched in favor of Brandon Rose, the Utes reopened competition for the starting job during their bye week. Rose, who threw a crucial late-game interception against Houston, is vying to reclaim the starting role, but Utah coach Kyle Whittingham has kept his decision close to the vest.

“We’ve got a good plan right now,” Whittingham said. “We’ll keep it to ourselves, obviously, but we have a plan going forward and nothing is ever set in stone, but we feel like we have a situation that’s best for us and gives us the best chance to win.”

The Holy War: A Rivalry Renewed

This year’s Holy War marks the first meeting between the two programs as Big 12 rivals, adding another layer of intensity to a game that already ranks among college football’s fiercest rivalries. It’s also one of four protected rivalries in the Big 12, ensuring the annual clash between BYU and Utah remains a staple of the conference schedule.

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The game is set to be a classic showdown with high stakes on both sides. For BYU, it’s a chance to keep their undefeated season alive and move one step closer to the conference championship. For Utah, it’s an opportunity to stop the bleeding and play spoiler against their in-state rival.

The stage is set for an electrifying contest in Salt Lake City this Saturday. Will BYU continue their march towards a Big 12 Championship berth, or will the Utes find a way to reclaim state bragging rights and get their season back on track? The answer awaits under the lights in one of college football’s most heated rivalries.