Utah Utes at UCLA Bruins Picks, Predictions, Odds

Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

The Utah Utes take on the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on Saturday in a Pac-12 showdown in Pasadena, California. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on FOX.

Updated on 12/22/2024

BetMGM Get a 20% Deposit Match up to $1,600 in Sports Bonus!

Bonus Code VIBONUS1600 Claim Now

Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER

UTAH UTES at UCLA BRUINS BETTING PREDICTION

The Utes of Utah opened the season with a seesaw battle at Florida before falling 29-26 back on Sept. 3. Instead of folding up like origami, this Utes team has rallied around each other and played impressive football, which is what everyone expected when Utah was ranked Top 10 to start.

The Utes have rolled to four straight wins and covers, including an impressive 42-16 win over Oregon State last time out at Rice-Eccles as a 10.5-point favorite as the OVER connected. QB Cam Rising has been an unheralded, and dare I say, "rising" star, completing 68.3% of his pass attempts for 1,153 yards, 13 touchdowns and just two interceptions while checking in second on the team with 190 rushing yards and a score. TE Dalton Kinkaid has been a boon to the Utes, especially in the red zone, posting five TDs overall, while RB Tavion Thomas is a beast with 295 rushing yards and 4 TDs.

UCLA has been flying a little under the radar, going 5-0 SU/3-2 ATS to date, with 32 or more points in every game, and 40 or more points in four of the five outings. That includes a 40-32 victory last Friday against Washington at the Rose Bowl as the OVER connected for a third straight game.

QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson has it going on this season, completing a ridiculous 74.3% of his attempts for 1,211 yards, 11 TD and 1 INT, while running for 223 yards, 7.2 yards per carry and 3 more TD. RB Zach Charbonnet has handled his business on the ground with 417 yards, 6.4 yards per tote and 5 TD, and portal add WR Jake Bobo leads the team with 363 yards and 3 TD. Both of these teams have complete offenses, and can score quickly.

Score Prediction: Utah 41, UCLA 38
Best Bet: OVER 64.5 (-110)

UTAH UTES at UCLA BRUINS BETTING ODDS

More Odds | Futures Odds | CFP Central

UTAH UTES at UCLA BRUINS BETTING RESOURCES

Date: Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022
Matchup: Pac-12
Venue: Rose Bowl
Location: Pasadena, California
Time-TV: FOX, 3:30 p.m. ET
Expert Picks

UTAH UTES BETTING ANALYSIS

We mentioned the Utes offense, but often the defense is overlooked. This is a nasty group, allowing just 278.8 total yards per game to rank 13th, while allowing a mere 155.4 passing yards per game to rank 9th overall in the nation. If you're going to get them, it's on the ground, as Utah has allowed 123.4 yards per contest to check in 48th. But they're allowing just 14.4 PPG, while scoring 42.0 PPG. That's a recipe for winning a lot of ballgames.

The Utes are 4-0 ATS in the past four outings, while ranking 6-0 ATS in the past six games against teams with a winning record. Utah is also an impressive 34-16-1 ATS in the past 51 inside the Pac-12, so the winning and covering has been going on for a while.

In terms of the totals, it's all about the OVER lately. the OVER is 15-7 in the past 22 games overall, while going 7-1 in the past eight games away from the SLC. The OVER is also 8-2 in the past 10 against winning teams, too.

UCLA BRUINS BETTING ANALYSIS

The Bruins have been pretty solid on defense, too, except for the South Alabama game, oddly enough. UCLA almost lost that game 32-31, needing late heroic to pull it out.

The Bruins allow 322.8 total yards per game to rank 30th in the nation, while yielding just 85.2 rushing yards per game to rank 8th overall. It's going to be tough sledding for Thomas and the Utes on the ground. They're 77th in passing yards allowed, however, coughing up 237.6 yards per game through the air. UCLA allows 20.8 PPG overall.

UCLA is 6-2 ATS in the past eight games overall, while going 5-0 ATS in the past five inside the league. It is just 1-5 ATS in the past six against winning teams, however. Like Utah, it's all about the OVER, going 8-2 in the past 10 games overall, while going 8-2 in the past 10 at the Rose Bowl, too. The OVER is 6-1 in the past seven conference tilts, too.

These teams met at Rice-Eccles in Salt Lake City last season, and Utah buried UCLA 44-24 to easily cover a 6.5-point number. The Bruins are 0-5 SU/ATS in the past five tries in this series, with the OVER going 3-1-1 during that span.

UTAH UTES at UCLA BRUINS BETTING TRENDS

• Utah is 4-0 ATS in the past four overall
• Utah is 34-16-1 ATS in the past 51 Pac-12 games
• Utah is 6-0 ATS in the past six vs. winning teams
• UCLA is 6-2 ATS in the past eight overall
• UCLA is 5-0 ATS in the past five Pac-12 games
• UCLA is 1-5 ATS in the past six vs. winning teams
• OVER is 15-7 in the past 22 for Utah
• OVER is 7-1 in the past eight road games for Utah
• OVER is 8-2 in the past 10 vs. winning teams for Utah
• UNDER is 4-1 in the past five Pac-12 games for Utah
• OVER is 8-2 in the past 10 for UCLA
• OVER is 8-2 in the past 10 home games for UCLA
• OVER is 6-1 in the past seven Pac-12 games for UCLA
• Utah is 5-0 ATS in the past five meetings
• Utah is 4-0 ATS in the past four trips to UCLA
• OVER is 3-1-1 in the past five meetings

Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish