- The Utah Utes are a -6.5 point favorite vs. the Houston Cougars
- Houston vs. Utah Total (Over/Under): 56.5 points
- TV Channel: ESPN
Houston (6-1) visit Rice-Eccles Stadium to take on Utah (6-0) on Oct. 24 in Salt Lake City, UT. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:15 pm.
The Utah Utes are betting favorites in Week 8, with the spread sitting at -6.5 (-112).
The Houston vs. Utah Over/Under is 56.5 total points.
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Houston vs. Utah Odds, Spread, Over/Under:
| Spread | Total (O/U) | Moneyline | |
| Houston | +6.5 -108 | 56.5 -108 | +200 |
| Utah | -6.5 -112 | 56.5 -110 | -235 |
Houston vs Utah Prediction:
The winning team model predicts Utah will win this game with 63.6% confidence, based on game simulations, offensive & defensive matchups and recent game results.
The winning team prediction factors in up-to-date player injuries for both the Houston Cougars and the Utah Utes, key player performances this season and recent team trends.
Houston vs Utah Spread Prediction:
Based on recent against-the-spread trends, the model predicts Utah will cover the spread with 60.6% confidence.
This prediction against the spread factors in ATS performances for both teams, opening and current betting lines plus public and sharp money already wagered on this matchup.
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Houston Best Bets Today
- Houston has hit the Team Total Over in 10 of their last 13 games (+6.40 Units / 42% ROI)
- Houston has hit the Moneyline in 5 of their last 6 away games (+5.75 Units / 42% ROI)
- Houston has hit the 1H Moneyline in 5 of their last 6 away games (+5.72 Units / 51% ROI)
- Houston has hit the 1Q Moneyline in 5 of their last 6 away games (+5.15 Units / 59% ROI)
- Houston have covered the 1H Spread in 9 of their last 13 games (+4.10 Units / 27% ROI)
Utah Best Bets Today
- Utah has hit the Moneyline in their last 11 games (+11.00 Units / 11% ROI)
- Utah has hit the 1Q Moneyline in 10 of their last 12 games (+6.80 Units / 10% ROI)
- Utah has hit the 1Q Game Total Over in 7 of their last 8 games at home (+6.20 Units / 70% ROI)
- Utah have covered the Spread in 7 of their last 8 games at home (+5.90 Units / 67% ROI)
- Utah has hit the 1H Game Total Over in 7 of their last 8 games at home (+5.90 Units / 64% ROI)
Houston Against the Spread (ATS) Record
Houston Cougars is 3-4 against the spread this college football season (-1.4 Units / -18.3% ROI).
- Houston is 5-1 when betting on the Moneyline for +4.2 Units / 13.48% ROI
- Houston is 5-2 when betting the Over for +2.85 Units / 37.25% ROI
- Houston is 2-5 when betting the Under for -3.5 Units / -45.16% ROI
Utah Against the Spread (ATS) Record
Utah Utes is 5-1 against the spread this college football season (+3.9 Units / 59.27% ROI).
- Utah is 5-0 when betting on the Moneyline for +5 Units / 6.88% ROI
- Utah is 4-2 when betting the Over for +1.8 Units / 27.19% ROI
- Utah is 2-4 when betting the Under for -2.38 Units / -36.17% ROI
Houston: Keys to the Game vs. Utah
Houston was winless (0-7) when allowing 100 or more rushing yards last season– T-worst in FBS; Average: .422
Houston was 1-7 (.125) when not forcing and recovering a fumble last season– 5th-worst among Power Conference Teams; Average: .492
Houston was 1-8 (.111) when throwing at least 1 interception last season– 3rd-worst among Power Conference Teams; Average: .443
Houston is 13-1 (.929) when not losing a fumble since the 2024 season– T-5th-best in FBS; Average: .589
Utah: Keys to the Game vs. Houston
Utah is undefeated (12-0) when allowing less than 5 explosive passes since the 2024 season– T-best among Power Conference Teams; Average: .671
Utah is 11-2 (.846) when the opposing team rushes more than 30 times since the 2024 season– 3rd-best in FBS; Average: .440
Utah is undefeated (11-0) when not losing a fumble since the 2024 season– T-best in FBS; Average: .589
Utah is undefeated (12-0) when allowing less than 5 explosive passes since the 2024 season– T-best in FBS; Average: .613
Matchup Notes for Houston vs. Utah
Utah’s RBs averaged 11.6 yards after the catch last season — T-6th-best among FBS RBs. Houston’s defense allowed 10.1 RAC to RBs last season — T-15th-worst among FBS defenses.
Utah’s TEs had 0.7 receiving touchdowns per game last season — T-5th-best among FBS TEs. Houston’s defense allowed just 1.2 receiving touchdowns per game last season — T-5th-best among Big 12 defenses.
Utah’s TEs had 0.7 receiving touchdowns per game last season — 2nd-best among Big 12 TEs. Houston’s defense allowed just 1.2 receiving touchdowns per game last season — T-5th-best among Big 12 defenses.
Houston’s TEs had 79 receptions in 13 games (6.1 per game) last season — T-2nd-best among Big 12 TEs. Utah’s defense allowed just 14.6 receptions per game last season — 2nd-best among P5 defenses.
Houston’s WRs gained 1,623 yards on 111 receptions (14.6 YPR) last season — T-22nd-best among FBS WRs. Utah’s defense allowed 12.2 Yards Per Reception last season — T-4th-worst among Big 12 defenses.
Houston’s TEs had 79 receptions in 13 games (6.1 per game) last season — T-4th-best among P5 TEs. Utah’s defense allowed just 14.6 receptions per game last season — best among Big 12 defenses.
Houston Offensive Stats & Trends
Houston TEs have been targeted 20 times in the Red Zone this season– most among Big 12 Teams
Houston Skill Players have averaged 23.0 yards per reception (230 yards/10 catches) on 3rd and long this season– 2nd-best among FBS Teams; Average: 12.9
Houston TEs have been targeted 20 times in the Red Zone this season– most among FBS Teams
Houston Skill Players averaged a touchdown every 20.0 receptions (180 Rec/9 TDs) last season– worst Receptions Per TD among Big 12 Teams; Average: 11.0
Houston TEs have 12 receptions in the Red Zone this season– most among Big 12 Teams
Utah Offensive Stats & Trends
Utah TEs caught 6 touchdown passes in the 4th quarter last season– most among Big 12 Teams
Utah WRs averaged a touchdown every 26.0 receptions (104 Rec/4 TDs) last season– 3rd-worst Receptions Per TD among Power Conference Teams; Average: 10.9
Utah WRs had just one touchdown on 7 receptions in the Red Zone last season– worst Receptions Per TD among Big 12 Teams; Average: 2.1
Utah WRs averaged a touchdown every 26.0 receptions (104 Rec/4 TDs) last season– 4th-worst Receptions Per TD among FBS Teams; Average: 11.2
Utah WRs averaged a touchdown every 26.0 receptions (104 Rec/4 TDs) last season– worst Receptions Per TD among Big 12 Teams; Average: 10.7
Houston Defensive Stats & Trends
Houston has allowed 16 TDs in close and late situations since the 2024 season– most in the Big 12
Houston allowed first downs on 46% of pass attempts in the Red Zone last season– worst among Power Conference Teams; Average: 22%
Houston has allowed 16 TDs in close and late situations since the 2024 season– 2nd-most among Power Conference Teams
Houston allowed first downs on 46% of pass attempts in the Red Zone last season– worst in the Big 12; Average: 22%
Houston allowed first downs on 46% of pass attempts in the Red Zone last season– 2nd-worst in FBS; Average: 23%
Utah Defensive Stats & Trends
Utah has allowed a Completion Pct of just 50% (296 completions/595 attempts) since the 2024 season– best among Power Conference Teams; Average: 61%
Utah has allowed opponents to catch just 296 of 596 passes (50% Reception Pct) since the 2024 season– best among Power Conference Teams; Average: 62%
Utah has allowed opponents to catch just 296 of 596 passes (50% Reception Pct) since the 2024 season– best in the Big 12; Average: 61%
Utah tackled opponents for a loss on 5 of 22 rushing attempts (23% TFL%) on 3rd and short last season– best in the Big 12; Average: 11%.
Utah has allowed a Completion Pct of just 43% (39 completions/90 attempts) when opponents had over 10 yards to go since the 2024 season– best in the Big 12; Average: 59%
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