BYU vs Utah Prediction, Pick & Odds for Saturday Night Football

• We’ve made our prediction for Saturday’s Holy War rivalry between No. 9 BYU and Utah
• The undefeated Cougars are 3-point road favorites against the struggling Utes
• Read below for BYU vs Utah odds, prediction and best bets for this late-night rivalry clash

The Holy War rivalry is set to reignite on Saturday, November 9, 2024, as the No. 9 BYU Cougars (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) travel to Rice-Eccles Stadium to face the Utah Utes (4-4, 1-4). Kickoff is scheduled for 10:15 p.m. ET, with the game broadcast on ESPN.

The Cougars enter as 3-point favorites, with the over/under set at 40.5 points. The Utes are rare underdogs against their Big 12 rivals as they navigate life without their injured QB Cam Rising.

Here is a look at the BYU vs Utah odds for Saturday’s Holy War, plus our betting prediction.

BYU vs Utah Odds

The odds favor BYU as 3-point favorites, implying a 60% probability that they will win by more than a field goal. The moneyline odds of -160 for BYU suggest a 61.5% chance of an outright win, while Utah’s +135 odds imply a 42.6% chance of an upset.

The relatively low over/under of 40.5 points indicates that oddsmakers expect a defensive battle, likely due to Utah’s struggling offense and BYU’s strong defense.

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Odds as of November 9, 2024, at ESPN Sportsbook. Register with the ESPN Bet promo code to bet on Saturday Night CFB.

Cougars Betting Analysis

BYU has been impressive this season, boasting an undefeated 8-0 record and a dynamic offense led by QB Jake Retzlaff. The senior signal-caller has thrown for 1,872 yards and 18 TDs against just seven interceptions. Retzlaff’s ability to improvise and make plays with his legs has been a key factor in BYU’s success, as he leads the team in rushing yards gained.

The Cougars’ ground game has also been effective, with running backs LJ Martin and Hinckley Ropati contributing when healthy. BYU’s offense is averaging 35.1 points and 410 yards per game, consistently scoring 34 or more points in their last six outings.

NUMBER NINE. pic.twitter.com/FqrvcfkZ0E

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 6, 2024

Defensively, the Cougars have been elite, leading the Big 12 in takeaways (18) and interceptions (14). Eleven different players have recorded at least one interception, showcasing the depth and playmaking ability of BYU’s defense.

The Cougars have proven their ability to win close games against quality opponents, such as their 38-35 victory over Oklahoma State and their 34-28 win at Baylor.

Utes Betting Analysis

Utah’s season has taken a disappointing turn after a promising 4-0 start. The Utes have lost four consecutive games, failing to cover the spread in each contest.

The primary reason for Utah’s decline has been the injury to starting quarterback Cam Rising. In his absence, backup Isaac Wilson has struggled, completing just 53% of his passes over the last three games and throwing eight interceptions on the season.

Utah’s offense has sputtered during their losing streak, averaging a mere 12.5 points and 321 yards per game. The Utes have also had difficulty establishing their running game, failing to reach 100 rushing yards in three of their last four games.

Despite their offensive woes, Utah’s defense remains a strength. However, they will be tested by BYU’s high-powered offense. The Utes’ best chance at covering the spread or pulling off an upset lies in their ability to control the clock with their ground game, led by Micah Bernard (782 yards, 3 TDs).

Utah’s defense will need to force turnovers and limit BYU’s scoring opportunities to keep the game close. The Utes are embracing their rare underdog status in this rivalry, where they have won nine of the past 10 meetings dating back to 2010.

BYU vs Utah Prediction

While the Holy War rivalry always brings out the best in both teams, BYU’s impressive performance this season and Utah’s current struggles can’t be ignored. The Cougars have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 games, while the Utes have only covered once in their previous seven outings.

I predict that BYU will cover the 3-point spread and win the game outright. The Cougars’ balanced offense and opportunistic defense should prove too much for a Utah team that has struggled to find consistency without their starting quarterback.

Furthermore, I expect the game to go under the total points scored of 40.5. Utah’s offensive weos, combined with BYU’s strong defensive play, should result in a low-scoring game.

The Utes have failed to score more than 20 points in any of their last four games, while the Cougars have allowed an average of just 19.5 points per game over their last four contests. Take the Cougars and the Under on Saturday night football.

Saturday Night Football Picks:

• BYU -3 (-110)
• Under 40.5 Points (-110)