Utah vs. Arizona: TV info, betting odds, expert predictions
The 14th-ranked Utah Utes (6-2, 4-1 Pac-12) control their destiny in the race to Las Vegas for the Pac-12 Championship. Should Utah run the table, it would return to the league’s title game for the fourth time in five years. A year removed from winning just one game, Arizona is three wins away from a bowl. It surely knows the recent record against Kyle Whittingham’s squad — 0-5.
Expect two teams fighting tooth and nail for a win. With the status of quarterback Cameron Rising, tight end Dalton Kincaid, and running back Tavion Thomas all up in the air, the Utes know they can’t afford to look past the Wildcats.
“The quarterback is just what we’ve seen the last several weeks — very athletic, tough to sack, tough to keep in the pocket,” Whittingham said of Arizona’s Jayden de Laura, who enters the weekend as the FBS leader in explosive pass plays. “He can really do damage on runs. Receivers are really good. They aren’t as committed to the run as they are to the throw but enough rushing yards to keep you honest.”
Arizona ranks 20th nationally in yards per play this season. The Wildcats are averaging north of 30 points a game and they’ve scored at least 37 in three of the last four outings. The Cats will also be facing their third ranked team in the last four games.
“I think our guys are excited about it,” said Arizona coach Jedd Fisch. “We certainly didn’t flinch last week. It’s another great opportunity to figure out exactly where we are on the spectrum of the build of this program.”
Here’s everything you need to know for the game.
TV info and kickoff time
Kickoff time: 4:30 p.m. PT
TV Network: Pac-12 Network
Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City
Betting odds
Line: Utah -17.5
Total: 67.5
Moneyline: -800, +540
Expert predictions
ESPN’s FPI gives Utah a 94.4% chance of beating Arizona.
Bill Connelly’s SP+ is calling for a 45-20 Utah win.
Arizona Desert Swarm’s Brian J. Pedersen picked Utah to win 34-20:
This game figures to go like most in Pac-12 play for the Wildcats with one exception: Utah is capable of jumping out to a two-score lead early and then sitting on it, taking away Arizona’s need to turn the game into a shootout and hope it gets a stop somewhere along the way.