UCLA Bruins vs Utah Utes Prediction, 9/23/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: UCLA Bruins vs Utah Utes

Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023

Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, UT

TV: FOX

Odds/Point Spread: Utes (-8)

Total/Over-Under: 51.5

The Utah Utes (3-0) host the UCLA Bruins (3-0) at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, September 23, 2023. Utah opens this matchup as 8-point favorites from oddsmakers. The over/under is set at 51.5.

The UCLA Bruins step onto the field holding a record of 3-0 for this season. In their last matchup, the Bruins faced the North Carolina Central Eagles and went home with a win by a final score of 59-7. Anthony Adkins was the best rusher for the Bruins with 10 attempts for 96 yards (9.6 yards per carry). Dante Moore finished 8/12 with 182 yds passing and 2 TDs. He had a quarterback rating of 249.1 and finished the contest without throwing a pick. In the running game, the Bruins gave up 90 yards on 37 tries, which averages out to 2.4 yards per run allowed. UCLA conceded 17 completions on 31 attempts for 142 yds, and a completion rate of 54.8%. Overall, they had 56 plays which converted into 614 yds. The UCLA Bruins ran the football 39 different times and totaled 404 yds, which had them averaging 10.4 yards per attempt.

The Bruins have racked up 1,581 total yards for the year. In terms of scoring touchdowns, UCLA has amassed 8 touchdowns via the pass and 8 touchdowns on the ground. They have turned the ball over 6 different times. UCLA has accounted for 68 first downs, and they have committed 18 penalties for 164 yds. As a unit they hold an average of 270.3 yards in the run game ranking this team at 3rd in D-1. When it comes to scoring points, the UCLA Bruins are averaging 40.3 points per game.

The Bruins are ranked 8th in Division 1 when it comes to team defense, conceding 10.0 points per game. They are allowing 2.0 yards per tote and 69.7 yards on the ground per game for the campaign. During this campaign, they have given up 209 rushing yards through 3 games. When it comes to passing yards, the Bruins have conceded 627 yards which puts them in 62nd in D-1. They have conceded 209.0 yards per contest via the pass in addition to allowing a completion percentage of 58.2%. Over the course of this season, they are giving up 278.7 yards/game putting them at 25th in college football. They have surrendered 2 touchdowns via the pass as well as 1 touchdown on the ground.

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The Utes head into this game 3-0 for this year. When they last stepped on the gridiron, the Utes walked away with a victory by a final of 31-7 when they faced the Weber State Wildcats. Nate Johnson (1 touchdown) finished the game with 193 yds on 13/21 passing while his QB rate was 154.8. He didn't toss any interceptions and his Y/A was 9.2. Nate Johnson carried the ball 16 times for 71 yards, ending the contest with 4.4 yards per attempt for Utah. The Utes finished the game with 424 yards while running 73 plays (5.8 yards per play). Utah ran for 4.4 yards per carry, finishing with a total of 231 yards on 52 attempts. Utah conceded 19 run attempts for 61 yds (3.2 yards per carry). The Utes passing defense gave up a completion percentage of 47.8%, surrendering 66 yds on 11 out of 23 passing.

The Utah Utes average 357.0 yards per outing, which ranks them 87th in Division 1. The Utah offense has racked up 131 yards of penalties on 17 infractions, which is good for 75th in the nation in terms of hurting your team. They have an average of 186.7 yards per game on the ground and have run for 560 yards overall. They have given away 1 interception while surrendering 0 fumbles and they have been able to obtain 56 first downs. Regarding their scoring prowess, the Utes are sitting 92nd in Division 1 scoring 25.0 points per game. For the year thus far, the Utes currently sit at 511 yards via the pass along with an average of 170.3 passing yards per contest, giving them a rank of 115th in the nation.

Utah has surrendered a total of 195 yards on the ground (65.0 yards per game) and 2 touchdowns via the rush on the season. They have given up 1 touchdown through the air in addition to 205.7 yards/game, which puts them in 61st in college football. Their defense has earned 1 fumble and 4 picks this year. The Utes defense has been on the field for 164 plays, which has them ranked 9th in the nation. The Utes are surrendering 10.3 PPG, which has them sitting 10th in the nation. This season, they have given up 31 points.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Utes -8

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