Penn State Nittany Lions vs Utah Utes Prediction, 1/2/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Penn State Nittany Lions vs Utah Utes

Date: Monday, January 2, 2023

Location: Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Utes (+1.5)

Total/Over-Under: 47.5

The Utah Utes (10-3) will try to defeat the Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2) at Rose Bowl on Monday, January 2, 2023 in the Rose Bowl. Penn State opens this game as 1.5-point favorites. The over/under has been set at 47.5.

The Penn State Nittany Lions step onto the field holding a record of 10-2 for this year. In their last contest, the Nittany Lions faced the Michigan State Spartans and notched a win by a score of 35-16. Sean Clifford connected on 19/24 with 202 yards passing and 4 TDs. He had a QB rating of 204.9 and ended the game without throwing a pick. Kaytron Allen was the best rusher for the Nittany Lions with 21 carries for 82 yds (3.9 yards per attempt). At the end of the game, they had 70 plays for 410 yds. The Penn State Nittany Lions rushed the ball a total of 45 different times and accumulated 160 yds, which had them averaging 3.6 yards per attempt. When it came to stopping the run, the Nittany Lions conceded 25 yards on 25 attempts, which is 1.0 yards per rush allowed. Penn State conceded 24 completions on 44 tries for 229 yds, and a completion rate of 54.5%.

Concerning putting the ball in the endzone, the Penn State Nittany Lions have an average of 35.8 points per game. As a team they are averaging 182.1 yards rushing which ranks them 43rd in college football. The Nittany Lions have earned 5,189 yards in total for the year. In terms of distribution of touchdowns, Penn State has amassed 28 touchdowns via the pass and 25 rushing touchdowns. Penn State has accumulated 263 1st downs as an offense, and they have been flagged for 66 penalties for 595 yds. They have given the ball to the opposition 16 different times.

The Nittany Lions are ranked 10th in the nation regarding the opposition scoring, giving up 18.0 points per contest. Opposing teams are running for an average of 3.2 yards per rush and 105.1 rushing yards per game so far this year. Over the course of this year, they have conceded 1,261 running yards through 12 games. When talking about passing yards, the Nittany Lions are allowing 2,554 yds which puts them in 47th in the nation. They have conceded 212.8 yards per contest through the air in addition to giving up a completion percentage of 52.9%. During this campaign, they are allowing 317.8 yards per game which has them ranked 16th in D-1. They have given up 10 touchdowns by air as well as 13 touchdowns running the ball.

Get all of our College Football Picks Today

The Utes head into this game 10-3 for this season. In their last game, the Utes walked away with a victory by a final of 47-24 when they played the USC Trojans. Ja'Quinden Jackson carried the football 13 times for 105 yds, walking away from the contest with 8.1 yds per carry for Utah. Cameron Rising (3 TDs) ended the game with 310 yds on 22/34 through the air while his QB rate was 170.4. He didn't throw any picks and his Y/A was 9.1. Utah gave up 27 running attempts for 56 yds (2.1 yds per rush). The Utes secondary gave up a completion rate of 68.3%, surrendering 363 yards on 28 for 41 passing. The Utes finished with 533 yds while they ran 69 plays (7.7 yds per play). Utah ended up running for 6.4 yards per carry, finishing with a total of 223 yds on 35 carries.

In relation to their ability to score points, the Utes are sitting 8th in the nation holding an average of 40.0 points per game. Over the course of the season so far, the Utes have thrown for a total of 3,283 yards via the pass along with an average of 252.5 throwing yards per outing, which has them ranked 48th in the nation. The Utah Utes average 472.7 yards/contest, which has them ranked 17th in D-1. The Utah offense has compiled 538 yards of penalties on 59 infractions, which is good for 109th in college football in terms of making mistakes.

Utah has given up a total of 1,391 yards via the ground game (107.0 yards per outing) and 16 touchdowns on the ground this year. They have given up 18 touchdowns through the air and 218.3 yards/contest, which puts them in 58th in Division 1. The Utes defense has participated in 754 plays, which is 15th in Division 1. The Utes are surrendering 20.4 points per game, which has them ranked 24th in college football. This year, they have given up 265 total points.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Utes +1.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here