by Chuck Sommers
Tuesday, Sep 21, 2021
Game time: 2:30 p.m. ET, Sept. 25, 2021
Venue: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT
Where to watch: Pac-12 Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Utah -14.5; O/U 55; Utah -650, WSU +460
BetMGM: Utah -14.5; O/U 55.5; Utah -667, WSU +475
Caesars: Utah -14.5; O/U 55; Utah -714, WSU +450
Season record
Washington State: 1-2 (0-1 Pac-12)
Utah: 1-2
Team Del Genio was a PERFECT 4-0 in all-sports on Saturday to further a 9 of 11 (82%) HOT STREAK this week, WINNING their 25* NCAA-F Pac-12 Game of the Month with USC and their 25* NCAA-F Saturday TV Total of the Month with the ASU/BYU under! Catch Del Genio’s and other plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
Wazzu - Utah preview and analysis
Recent form
WSU: lost 45-14 vs. USC on Sept. 18
Utah: lost 33-31 (3 OT) at San Diego State on Sept. 18
Friends, on any other year, this would be a fantastic conference matchup.
But we gather here today to enlist in the wonder that is the Washington State Cougars and the Utah Utes, for a matchup so weird, yet so majestic, that the fact one of these teams is going 1-3 is really the comic relief we all need for an early Saturday afternoon.
Imagine how things would look had things gone differently. We can say that about anything in the world of sports, but picture it. Washington State, leading at the half over the USC Trojans; their starting quarterback is not playing and things look brighter than they ever have in the lovely city of Pullman, Washington.
Instead, Jaxson Dart lived up to his name; he threw darts all over the field in place of the injured Kedon Slovin, throwing four touchdowns to go with 391 yards, as USC started the post-Clay Helton era with a 31-point win over Wazzu.
Wazzu got kicked in the Wazzu, especially by this talented USC defense. Jayden de Laura had only 117 yards and threw two first-half touchdowns, but by the time the Washington State offense realized two halves were played in a game, it was over.
The Cougars probably wish Mike Leach was around the program somewhere to help them get out of this mess. Losing to the Utah State Aggies on opening night against coach Blake Anderson (formerly from Arkansas State) was the worst thing that could’ve happened to Washington State. It’s not the high-octane, feel-good story in Pullman anymore. Coming to Martin Stadium has not been the ideal situation for new head coach Nick Rolovich, going 1-2 in three home games.
This seems like the perfect opportunity for the Utes to come back home and take some anger out on a team that’s probably lost its confidence. Utah is coming off consecutive heartbreaking losses; the Holy War to the BYU Cougars, and a triple-overtime thriller on the road against the San Diego State Aztecs.
Cameron Rising and Charlie Brewer combined for 257 yards and three touchdowns, all from Rising, but the Utes couldn’t run the ball at all. They had 31 carries for 70 yards, and 17 of those carries came from top running back Micah bernard; he had only 47 yards and his longest run was eight. Rising had five carries for 46 yards in the loss.
Utah defeated Washington State 45-28 last season in Salt Lake City in what was technically considered a college football game despite all the happenings that took place a season ago.
Prediction
The Cougars struggled heavily in three home games, should have won two, but only won one. The Utes have a reason to take out some anger and aggression on the opposition, and Utah seems to be in a good position to dominate this game because we haven’t seen enough from Washington State to believe otherwise. Utah wins by 21
Betting trends
Washington State is 5-15 in its last 20 against the spread. As an underdog, the Cougars are 2-7 ATS and 1-8 straight up.
Washington State has lost seven consecutive games ATS.
Utah is 6-3 ATS as a home favorite in its last nine, and is 9-0 straight up.
Players to watch
WSU: Washington State is going to need to implement a ground game against a Utah squad that struggled to contain it in San Diego. Max Borghi and Deon McInstosh combined for 92 yards on 18 carries against USC. There is formula there; question is, will the Cougars know how to exploit it?
Utah: The Utes have a strong two-tight end system, and while Brant Kuithe was the star, Dalton Kincaid can be that X-Factor in the passing game. Kincaid had only three catches for nine yards, so look for Utah to get him more involved this week.
Statistical leaders
Washington State:
Passing: Jayden de Laura -- 575 yards, 6 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Max Borghi -- 217 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: Calvin Jackson Jr. -- 262 yards, 1 TD
Defense: Andrew Edson -- 2 sacks
Utah:
Passing: Charlie Brewer -- 484 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Micah Bernard -- 228 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Brant Kuithe -- 138 yards, 1 TD
Defense: Devin Lloyd -- 38 tackles, 1 sack
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Washington State - Utah prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NCAA projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
