Utah at West Virginia Heart of Dallas Bowl Picks and Predictions 12/26/2017

Tuesday, Decmber 26, 2017

Cotton Bowl

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

Cotton Bowl is the venue for the game between the Utah Utes and the West Virginia Mountaineers on Tuesday, Decmber 26, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has West Virginia as 3 point favorites. The Mountaineers are 6-6-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 7-4-1. The Utes are 8-3-1 ATS and their over/under record is 6-6-0.

Valuable Utah Utes Betting Trends

The Utah Utes are 6-6-0 against the over/under

The Utah Utes are 8-3-1 against the spread

Important West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Trends

The West Virginia Mountaineers are 7-4-1 against the over/under

The West Virginia Mountaineers are 6-6-0 against the spread

Key Utah Utes Injuries

12/04/17 QB Tyler Huntley Undisclosed is "?" Tuesday vs West Virginia
12/03/17 DL Kylie Fitts Undisclosed is "?" Tuesday vs West Virginia
11/07/17 DB Marquise Blair Leg is out for season
10/17/17 LB Christian Drews Undisclosed out for season
08/31/17 RB Armand Shyne Arm out indefinitely

Key West Virginia Mountaineers Injuries

12/03/17 OL Jacob Buccigrossi ACL is "?" Tuesday vs Utah
12/03/17 OL Kyle Bosch Undisclosed is "?" Tuesday vs Utah
12/03/17 K Mike Molina Hip is "?" Tuesday vs Utah
12/03/17 QB Will Grier Finger is doubtful Tuesday vs Utah
09/25/17 LB Brendan Ferns Shoulder out indefinitely

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Utah Utes have run for 1,936 yards as a unit, which ranks 70th in the nation. They've run 473 times, averaging 4.1 yards per rush as a unit. The Utes have been penalized on offense 83 times for 761 yards so far this year, which has them 35th in the country in penalties. They are 57th in Division 1 in points scored with 354. They have run 874 plays this year for 5,012 yards, which ranks them 44th in the nation in total offense. The Utes average 5.7 yards per play, which is 63rd in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 281 1st downs this season, ranking them 25th overall as an offensive unit. Troy Williams has completed 60 throws while attempting 110 passes for a completion percentage of 54.5%. He has passed for 812 yards this year. He averages 6.1 adjusted yards per throw and 7.4 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating this season is 115.3.

Defensive Statistics

The Utes rush defense has given up 406 attempts for 1,674 yards this season, putting them in 37th place in the country against the run. They have had 64 penalties for 593 yards on defense this year. That places them 49th in Division 1. Utah is 43rd in college football in points surrendered on defense with 287. They have given up a total of 4,242 yards on D, which is 33rd in the nation. The Utes are 38th in yards per play allowed with 5.2. Opponent offenses have completed 236 throws on 412 attempts against the Utah Utes defense this season, ranking them 91st and 101st in the country. The Utah pass defense has also surrendered a total of 2,568 yards in the air, which is 51st overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Utah Utes have tried 32 field goals this year and made 28, which is 1st in college football. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 84%. Utah Utes kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 37 for 37 this season. Their punters have accumulated 2,035 yards on 46 punts, averaging 44 yards per punt. That ranks them 19th in the NCAA in punting average. Utah is 24th in the country in punt returns with 24. They've totaled 245 punt return yards and average 10.2 yards per return, which is 33rd in D-1. They have returned 16 kicks for 286 yards on special teams, which puts them 129th in kick return yardage. The Utes average 19 yards per kick return and they are 75th in the nation in all-purpose yards with 5,543.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Mountaineers are 23rd in Division 1 in points scored with 436. They have run 892 plays this season for 5,826 yards, which ranks them 11th in the nation in total offense. The West Virginia Mountaineers average 6.5 yards per play, which is 20th in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 296 1st downs this year, placing them 12th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground West Virginia has run for 1,930 yards as a team, which ranks 74th in the country. They've run 440 times, averaging 4.4 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Mountaineers have been penalized on offense 74 times for 725 yards so far this season, which has them 61st in the nation in penalties. Chris Chugunov has thrown for 407 yards this season. He has completed 34 passes on 62 attempts for a completion percentage of 54.8%. His quarterback rating this year is 120.6. He averages 6.6 yards per pass attempt and 7.2 adjusted yards per throw.

Defensive Statistics

West Virginia is 92nd in the nation in points allowed on defense with 379. They have surrendered a total of 5,430 yards on D, which is 108th in Division 1. The Mountaineers are ranked 107th in yards per play allowed with 6.3. Opposing offenses have completed 222 passes on 378 attempts against the West Virginia defense this season, placing them 70th and 72nd in the country. The West Virginia Mountaineers pass defense has also given up a total of 2,974 yards through the air, which is 97th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has allowed 486 attempts for 2,458 yards this year, putting them in 103rd place in D-1 against the run. The Mountaineers have committed 88 penalties for 820 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 117th in the nation.

Special Teams Stats

West Virginia is ranked 39th in the nation in punt returns with 22. They've accumulated 113 punt return yards and average 5.1 yards per return, which is 104th in college football. They have returned 34 kicks for 805 yards on special teams, ranking 44th in kick return yardage. The West Virginia Mountaineers average 24 yards per kick return and they are 14th in the country in all-purpose yards with 6,744. The Mountaineers have attempted 13 field goals this season and made 10, which is 113th in D-1. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 69%. West Virginia kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 56 for 56 this year. Their punters have totaled 2,534 yards on 64 punts, averaging 40 yards per punt. That places them 103rd in Division 1 in punting average.

Who will win tonight's Utes/Mountaineers college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Utes +3

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