Utah Utes vs Baylor Bears Prediction, 9/9/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Utah Utes vs Baylor Bears

Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023

Location: McLane Stadium in Waco, TX

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Bears (-1)

Total/Over-Under: 50.5

The Baylor Bears (0-1) will go up against the Utah Utes (1-0) at McLane Stadium on Saturday, September 9, 2023. Utah opens this matchup as 1-point underdogs from Vegas oddsmakers. The over/under is set at 50.5.

The Utah Utes come into this matchup with a record of 1-0 for this season. In their last game, the Utes faced off with the Florida Gators and went home with a win by a final score of 24-11. Micah Bernard led the offense in rushing for the Utes with 7 totes for 45 yards (6.4 yards per carry). Bryson Barnes finished 12/18 with 159 yards passing and 1 TD. He had a QB rate of 159.2 and finished the contest with no interceptions. Against the rush, the Utes gave up 13 yards on 21 tries, which averages out to 0.6 yds per run allowed. Utah gave up 31 completions on 44 tries for 333 yds, and a completion rate of 70.5%. When the final whistle blew, they ran 53 plays which converted into 270 yards. The Utah Utes ran the ball 30 times and accounted for 105 yds, which earned them an average of 3.5 yds per carry.

The Utes have racked up 270 total yards for this campaign. When it comes to scoring touchdowns, Utah has earned 1 touchdown through the air and 2 rushing touchdowns. They have turned the football over 0 times. Utah has 13 1st downs as an offense, and they have committed 5 infractions for 37 yds. Offensively they hold an average of 105.0 yards via the ground game which has them sitting 99th in the nation. Concerning putting points on the board, the Utah Utes hold an average of 24.0 points per contest.

The Utes are ranked 32nd in college football when it comes to the opposition scoring, allowing 11.0 points per game. The opposition is running for 0.6 yards per rush and 13.0 rushing yards per game on the year. Over the course of this season, they have given up 13 running yards through 1 game. Concerning passing yards, the Utes have conceded 333 yards which puts them in 107th in college football. They have yielded 333.0 yards per game via the pass as well as conceding a completion percentage of 70.5%. In total, they are granting 346.0 yards/game ranking them 74th in D-1. They have surrendered 1 touchdown by air in addition to no touchdowns via the ground game.

Get all of our College Football Picks this Week

The Bears head into this matchup 0-1 for this year. The last time they took the field, the Bears took a defeat with a final score of 42-31 against the Texas State Bobcats. Dominic Richardson carried the rock 16 times for 79 yds, ending the game with 4.9 yds per attempt for Baylor. Blake Shapen (2 TDs) walked away from the contest with 303 yds on 21/31 passing while his quarterback rating was 171.1. He kept the ball away from the defense with no interceptions and his average yards per attempt was 9.8. Baylor surrendered 39 rush attempts for 143 yards (3.7 yards per rush). The Bears pass defense conceded a completion percentage of 73.3%, surrendering 298 yards on 22 for 30 through the air. The Bears finished the contest with a total of 524 yds while they ran 76 plays (6.9 yards per play). Baylor ran for 3.4 yards per attempt, finishing with 108 yds on 32 carries.

In relation to how much they score, the Bears are ranking 66th in Division 1 averaging 31.0 points per outing. The Baylor Bears are averaging 524.0 yards per contest, which has them ranked 20th in Division 1. The Baylor offense has totaled 45 yds of penalties on 9 infractions, which is 27th in D-1 in terms of hurting your team. They have given away 1 pick while letting opponents recover 1 fumble and they have tallied 22 1st downs.

The Bears are relinquishing 42.0 PPG, which has them 115th in D-1. Baylor has given up a total of 143 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns rushing so far this season. This year, they have conceded 42 pts. They have surrendered 3 touchdowns through the air and 298.0 yards/outing, which has them in 109th in the nation. The Bears defense has been on the field for 69 plays, which is good for 78th in D-1. They have totaled 2 fumbles and no picks for the season.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Utes +1

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