The 12th-ranked Utes have an interesting opponent coming to Salt Lake City this weekend. Should Oregon State be considered particularly dangerous because it just very nearly toppled USC? Or will the Beavers exhibit some emotional exhaustion after getting all the way up for the Trojans and letting things slip away?

The Beavers held USC to 17 points. Without any additional context, that feels like it should be enough to pull an upset. But they also turned it over four times and only scored 14 points themselves. The Trojans scored in the final two minutes to win.

ESPN’s betting expert, Chris ‘The Bear’ Fallica, likes Utah to cover a double-digit spread on Saturday as a result.

Here’s what Fallica wrote on the game in his Week 5 preview for ESPN:

“Have to think Oregon State is feeling a little empty after letting one get away vs. USC last week. The Beavers also aren’t very good against the run, which could be a problem this week in Salt Lake vs. one of the more physical OL in the league. Not having Brant Kuithe could be a big problem long-term for the Utes, but Saturday they should be fine on their home field.”

Fallica went 6-0 against the spread with his picks last week. For the season, he’s 17-6-1.

Utah is a 10.5-point favorite at FanDuel, as of publication. But Oregon State is 4-0 against the spread so far this season.

The Utes have been particularly strong of late, winning three straight by 21 or more after opening the season with a loss down in Florida. Quarterback Cam Rising has kept the football safe, the defense has stone-walled opponents, and the Utes have mostly rolled to wins.

Saturday will also present the first opportunity for this team to take the field without tight end Brant Kuithe, though. The Utes’ leading pass-catcher (19 receptions, three scores) was lost for the season after suffering a lower leg injury in the first half of last Saturday’s game against Arizona State.

How that injury impacts the Utah offense is something the entire league will be keeping tabs on, especially early on as Utah tries to adjust. But, as Fallica writes, that shouldn’t stop this train from rolling along. Kickoff Saturday is set for 11 a.m. PT on the Pac-12 Network.