Utah Utes vs Houston Cougars Prediction, 10/26/2024 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Utah Utes vs Houston Cougars

Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024

Location: TDECU Stadium in Houston, TX

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Cougars (+3.5)

Total/Over-Under: 37

The Houston Cougars (2-5) will take on the Utah Utes (4-3) at TDECU Stadium on Saturday, October 26, 2024. Houston is 3.5-point underdogs from oddsmakers. The betting total is set at 37.

The Utah Utes come into this game with a record of 4-3 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Utes went up against the TCU Horned Frogs and ended up losing by a score of 13-7. The Utah Utes ended up running the ball 26 times and compiled 68 yards, which came out to an average of 2.6 yds per carry. In the game, they ran 59 plays which converted into 267 yards. Utah relinquished 22 completions on 41 tries for 263 yds, and a completion rate of 53.7%. In the running game, the Utes conceded 132 yds on 33 attempts, which averages out to 4.0 yds per run allowed.

The Utes have earned 2,701 total yards for the year. In terms of notching touchdowns, Utah has compiled 14 touchdowns via the pass and 4 rushing touchdowns. They have turned the football over 12 times. Utah has 137 first downs as a team, and they have been flagged for 31 penalties for 259 yards. As a unit they have an average of 159.6 yards rushing which has them sitting 67th in the country. Regarding putting the ball in the endzone, the Utah Utes are averaging 24.0 PPG.

The Utes are sitting in 12th in D-1 regarding their opponents scoring, giving up 16.4 points per game. They are giving up an average of 3.9 yards per run and 120.6 rushing yards per contest on the year. Over the course of this season, they have conceded 844 running yards through 7 games. Concerning yards through the air, the Utes are allowing 1,295 yds which has them sitting in 33rd in the nation. They have given up 185.0 yards per outing through the air as well as allowing a completion percentage of 50.3%. Overall, they have yielded 305.6 yards/outing which puts them 20th in Division 1. They have yielded 8 touchdowns by air in addition to 5 touchdowns on the ground.

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The Cougars step onto the field holding a record of 2-5 for this season. For their last game, the Cougars took a defeat with a final score of 42-14 when they played the Kansas Jayhawks. Houston relinquished 33 rushing attempts for 220 yards (6.7 yds per carry). The Cougars pass defense gave up a completion rate of 76.2%, surrendering 247 yards on 16 for 21 through the air. The Cougars finished the game with 335 yds and they ran 65 plays (5.2 yards per play). Houston ended up running for 3.1 yds per attempt, finishing the contest with 98 yds on 32 carries.

In relation to their scoring prowess, the Cougars are sitting 133rd in college football scoring 13.7 points per contest. The Houston Cougars average 303.0 yards/game, which ranks them 121st in Division 1. The Houston offense has totaled 446 penalty yards on 46 infractions, which has them sitting 50th in the country in terms of making mistakes. They have thrown 10 interceptions while losing 4 fumbles and they have obtained 110 first downs. During the season thus far, the Cougars have compiled 1,166 yards via the pass together with an average of 166.6 passing yards per game, which is ranked 123rd in the nation. They maintain an average of 136.4 yards via the ground game and have rushed for 955 yards in total.

Houston has allowed a total of 1,020 yards rushing (145.7 yards per game) in addition to 8 touchdowns rushing for the season. They have allowed 12 touchdowns via the pass as well as 173.9 yards per outing, which has them ranked 19th in D-1. Their defense has earned 3 fumbles and 5 picks for the season. The Cougars defense has taken the field for 410 plays, which is good for 16th in D-1. The Cougars are giving up 23.6 points per game, which has them ranked 65th in the nation. This year, they have conceded 165 total points.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Utes -3.5

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