Utah vs. UCLA: College Football Picks

The UCLA Bruins have notched a 4-2 spread record at the college football betting windows in their first six contests, including a 2-1 mark as part of three home dates. Jim Mora’s squad returns to the Rose Bowl for Saturday’s clash with the Utah Utes, who saw the UNDER collect at 2-0 in their first pair of road games.

Bruins blown away in Berkeley

The UCLA Bruins logged its second loss in three games with last Saturday’s 43-17 defeat as a 2 ½-point road favorite against the California Golden Bears. The Bruins committed six turnovers, including four interceptions from quarterback Brett Hundley. 

Hundley connected on 31-of-47 passes, finishing with 253 yards through the air. The freshman found mates Joseph Fauria and Cassius Marsh for touchdowns, while top target Shaquelle Evans notched a season-high seven catches. 

The lopsided affair’s 60 points leaped above the ‘total’ of 55 ½, with a late 68-yard touchdown run from California’s C.J. Anderson allowed by the Bruins’ defense. UCLA’s Johnathan Franklin dashed for 103 yards of his own, making 15 carries.

Utes hold on to cash at home

Utah saw an early 21-10 lead blown in last Thursday’s 38-28 setback against the USC Trojans, while cashing as 14-point home dogs. The Utes gave up a stretch of four unanswered touchdowns, while both squads were flagged for a combined 27 penalties (222 yards). 

Utes quarterback Jon Hays threw two touchdowns in a 19-for-32 night under center. Hays’ mate John White IV ran for 68 yards as part of 15 carries, while back Kelvin York took in Utah’s final score from five yards out. 

The battle’s 66 points jumped OVER the ‘total’ of 50, despite a scoreless third quarter. Utah was held to a 3-for-12 mark in its third-down conversions, while its defense allowed 432 total yards.

Back the Utes as road dogs 

College football odds makers opened UCLA as a 5 ½-point favorite, with early Bruins’ wagers lifting the number quickly to a flat seven. Saturday’s kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. (ET), with the early weather forecast in Pasadena calling for a 75-degree day and calm winds.

I am adding Utah plus the points as part of my week’s college football picks, looking for Hays and Co. to hold their own in a close contest.

Utah has been undervalued in its last three weeks of action, cashing with a 2-1 ATS mark as an underdog each time out. The Utes have bounced back with a 5-0 spread record in their last five contests that followed a defeat, dating back to last season. 

UCLA has been the Pacific-12 Conference’s most penalized team, costing Hundley and Co. 519 yards in its first six games. The Bruins have gone 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games that followed a spot of giving up more than 40 points.

Utah’s defense has held foes to 350 YPG, ranking third tightest in the conference. Last November’s battle between the rivals saw the Utes hold UCLA without a touchdown in a 31-6 home triumph, with the Bruins’ offense managing just a 4-for-15 mark with third-down conversions.