2014
Utah Utes
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule and Odds
Utah is still making the transition to the Pac-12, but after only two Conference wins last year, they have decreased that total every season since joining the Conference in 2011. The Utes had plenty of close Games last year, losing to Oregon State in overtime and Arizona State by one point. One of their wins was even against Stanford, but a brutal Schedule hurt them the rest of the way. Unfortunately for this season they’ll have to play Oregon and Stanford yet again from the North division.
The Utes are listed at odds of 600 to 1 to win the National Championship and 66 to 1 to win the PAC-12. Those odds can be found at 5 dimes sportsbook.
The offense was a disappointment as usual last year, finishing near the bottom in most categories. This time around, Dave Christensen, former Missouri OC and Wyoming HC, joins the fold and he should change a few things up. Even with Travis Wilson returning, the quarterback spot may be up for grabs due to an ongoing injury for Wilson and his 16 TDs and 16 INTs in 2013. Transfer Kendal Thompson could easily take over for him if he shows promise in the fall. Bubba Poole (607 yards) returns out of the backfield and should see more looks. The new coaches will bring more of an up-tempo paced offense and that should help them, as long as whoever is at quarterback can work within the system.
The Utes are solid at wide out with Dres Anderson (1,002 yards, 7 TDs) back along with Kenneth SCott, who missed all of last season due to injury. The offensive line only lost one starter, so they shouldn’t have a problem in that area.
Utah usually has a pretty solid defense, but they aren’t overbearing by any means. They lose a lot of bulk up front, but the Utes usually have an array of talent coming up on the line. A couple injuries to starting linebackers will be something to monitor as that was going to be a strong point in the defense. They return three seniors in the secondary, but their best CB from a year ago is gone.
Utah also has one of the best kickers and punters in the league, meaning if they continue to have those close Games, some of them will start going their way.
The Utes have another difficult Schedule and this season they’ll have to travel to Michigan for a Game. A loss there means they’ll need Four Conference wins to reach a bowl appearance, and that seems like a long shot.
Getting home wins against USC and Oregon will be tough, but Washington State and Arizona are beatable. If the Utes were to win a Conference road Game (something they didn’t do in 2013), their best chances will be at Oregon State, Arizona State and Colorado.
The offense needs to be more consistent for this team to surpass last year’s two Pac-12 wins.
2014 Utah Football Schedule
Aug. 28 vs. Idaho State
Sept. 6 vs. Fresno State
Sept. 20 at Michigan
Sept. 27 vs. Washington State
Oct. 4 at UCLA
Oct. 16 at Oregon State
Oct. 25 vs. USC
Nov. 1 at Arizona State
Nov. 8 vs. Oregon
Nov. 15 at Stanford
Nov. 22 vs. Arizona
Nov. 29 at Colorado