Utah vs Oregon State Prediction, Odds & Picks: Utes, Beavers Set for Friday Night Fight in Corvallis

Two of the Pac-12’s six top-20 teams will tangle on Friday night in Corvallis, Oregon, as #10 Utah visits #19 Oregon State (9:00 pm ET, FS1).

The Utes (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) have been without star quarterback Cam Rising for the first four games, but strong defensive play has guided them to a 4-0 start and a spot in the top 10.

The Beavers (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12) suffered their first loss of the season last week, falling 38-35 at Washington State. Still, Oregon State enters this matchup ranked in the top 20, and a win could return them to the top 15, where they were before Saturday’s loss to the Cougars.

With the game a couple of days away, Oregon State is favored by a little more than a field goal. Will DJ Uiagalelei and the Beavers back up those odds, or will the Utes use defense to continue their stellar start?

Utah vs Oregon State Odds

Odds are via Bovada.

Spread

• Utah +3.5 (-105)
• Oregon State -3.5 (-115)

Over/Under

• Over 44 (-110)
• Under 44 (-110)

Moneyline

• Utah +150
• Oregon State -175

Will the Utes Roll on Without Rising?

Even after their loss in Pullman and though the Utes are nine spots ahead of the Beavers in the AP poll, Oregon State is favored by what amounts to a solid margin, relatively speaking.

It’s a good show of respect by oddsmakers for the leap that OSU has made with coach Jonathan Smith, and it’s also a nod to the continued uncertain status of Rising.

Rising participated in warm-ups prior to last Saturday’s 14-7 win over UCLA, but he was held out for the fourth straight game as he continues to recover from a torn ACL.

Will he return this week? Whether or not he gets the all-clear from his L.A.-based surgeons remains to be seen. But even if he doesn’t, the Utes can continue to win with redshirt freshman Nate Johnson (31 for 49, 398 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT passing; 47 attempts, 150 yards, 3 TD rushing).

That is due to a defense that is one of the best in college football, if not the very best.

National Defensive Rankings for the Utah Utes

• first in the FBS in third-down conversion defense (10 of 51, 19.6%)
• third in the FBS in rushing yards allowed per game (51.0) and per attempt (2.02)
• tied for third in fewest first downs allowed (47)
• ninth in scoring defense (9.5 points allowed per game)
• tied for ninth in total defense (263.8 yards allowed per game)
• 19th in passing efficiency defense
• tied for 19th in red zone defense
• tied for 29th in tackles for loss per game

At the heart of that unit is defensive end Jonah Elliss. Elliss was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week and the Pac-12 Defensive Line Player of the Week after racking up 10 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks against UCLA.

Running the ball well is a big part of what Oregon State needs to do to be successful. They enter this week ninth in the FBS in rushing yards per game (224.8 YPG) and fourth in yards per attempt (6.29), and they ran for 242 yards against Washington State.

If the Beavers can get the ground game going against Utah, it will go a long way towards being able to pull out the win.

However, if they are unable to, that will force Uiagalelei to have to win the game with his arm. That is not an ideal position for the Beavers to have to be in.

Uiagalelei has had some good moments as a passer in his collegiate career. But the major knock on him continues to be accuracy and efficiency as a passer, and you cannot be at all confident in his arm if Oregon State needs it to upend Utah.

Season Stats for Oregon State QB DJ Uiagalelei

• Passing: 59 for 102 (57.8%), 828 yards, 7 TD, 3 INT
• Rushing: 22 attempts, 99 yards (4.5 yards per attempt), 5 TD

He led the Beavers to touchdowns in their final three drives against Washin82gton State to trim the deficit from three touchdowns to three points.

But he was only 17 for 34 for 198 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in Pullman, a week after throwing for 284 yards while going 14 for 30 and throwing two interceptions versus San Diego State.

Utah vs Oregon State Prediction and Picks

Prediction: Utah to win

Picks: Utah +3.5 (-105 at Bovada) & Utah/Oregon State under 44 (-110 at Bovada)

Corvallis is not an easy place to play at all, and Utah is not the same team offensively without Rising and injured RB Micah Bernard (out for the season), an adept receiver who would be a valuable safety valve for Johnson were he available.

But when they are playing defense this well and are one of the best in the nation in shutting down what is Oregon State’s offensive strength, this is a game that I think they will win even if Rising is out for a fifth straight week.

Where to Bet on Utah vs Oregon State

Most top online sportsbooks offer a wide variety of college football odds throughout the season.

In addition to being able to make weekly college football picks all the way from Week Zero to the College Football Playoff National Championship, you can also bet on Heisman Trophy odds, conference championship odds, win totals, and much more.

Along with Bovada, where the Utah vs Oregon State odds in this article are from, there are plenty of sports betting sites you can choose from that are good for college football betting.

Below are some of the other books that we highly recommend:

• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bookmaker
• MyBookie
• Sportsbetting.ag

If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.

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