The Utah Utes (4-3) hit the road for a Big 12 clash against the Houston Cougars (2-5) on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at John O’Quinn Field at TDECU Stadium.

The Cougars are underdogs, but by less than a touchdown (+4.5), against the Utes (with an over/under of 37 points).

Keep reading for our betting primer for this this matchup between the Utes and the Cougars, and uncover all of our expert predictions here, too!

Utah vs. Houston betting lines

• Spread favorite: Utes (-4.5)
• Moneyline: Utes (-205), Cougars (+167)
• Total: 37 points

Utah vs. Houston betting info and stats

Utah has won once against the spread so far this season (1-5-0). Utah is winless ATS (0-4) when favored by at least 4.5 points. Utah has been the moneyline favorite five times this season, and sports a 2-3 record in those games. Houston, in seven games with a set spread so far this season, is 3-4-0 against the spread. In the four games Houston has been the underdog by at least 4.5 points, it covered the spread twice. This is the sixth time this year Houston is an underdog on the moneyline and has gone 1-4 in such contests.

Utah vs. Houston recent stats and trends

Utah Utes

• Utah is winless against the spread (0-3) and 0-3 overall over its past three matchups.
• In all of those games, the final combined score was under the set total.
• Utah’s past three outings have ended with an average of 48.3 points scored. That’s 11.3 more points than this contest’s over/under.

Houston Cougars

• Houston is 1-2 against the spread over its past three games, and has a 0-3 straight-up record in those matchups.
• The final combined score of the past three Houston games exceeded the set total once.
• Houston’s past three games have ended with an average of 46.5 points scored. That’s 9.5 more points than this contest’s over/under.

Utah vs. Houston key players

Utah Utes

• Isaac Wilson has 1,029 pass yards for Utah, completing 54.8% of his passes and recording seven touchdowns and eight interceptions this season. He’s also contributed on the ground with 63 rushing yards (10.5 ypg) on 38 carries.
• Micah Bernard has racked up 731 yards on 116 carries while finding the end zone two times.
• This season, Mike Mitchell has carried the ball 37 times for 127 yards (25.4 per game) and one touchdown.
• Dorian Singer’s 486 yards as a receiver lead the team. He’s been targeted 62 times and has totaled 33 catches.
• Brant Kuithe has put together a 369-yard season so far with four touchdowns, reeling in 26 passes on 47 targets.
• Money Parks has racked up 20 receptions for 288 yards, an average of 41.1 yards per game. He’s scored three times as a receiver this season.
• Van Fillinger has collected 4.5 sacks to pace the team, while also picking up five TFL and 24 tackles.
• Tao Johnson, Utah’s leading tackler, has 33 tackles, two TFL, and one interception this year.
• Elijah Davis has picked off a team-leading two passes. He also has 17 tackles, one TFL, and two passes defended to his name.

Houston Cougars

• Donovan Smith has racked up 867 yards on 65.4% passing while tossing four touchdown passes with eight interceptions this season. He’s also rushed for 159 yards with two scores.
• Stacy Sneed has rushed for 245 yards on 43 carries so far this year while scoring one time on the ground.
• Re’Shaun Sanford II has collected 222 yards (on 43 attempts) with one touchdown, while also grabbing nine passes for 91 yards.
• Mekhi Mews’ 218 receiving yards (31.1 yards per game) are a team high. He has 20 receptions on 32 targets with one touchdown.
• Stephon Johnson Jr. has 18 receptions (on 24 targets) for a total of 202 yards (33.7 yards per game) and one touchdown this year.
• Joseph Manjack IV has racked up 194 reciving yards (27.7 ypg) and two touchdowns this season.
• Michael Batton, who leads the team in tackles and sacks, has racked up three sacks, five TFL and 37 tackles.
• A.J. Haulcy has a team-leading three interceptions to go along with 28 tackles and three passes defended.