Utah Boise State Betting – Rampant Broncos Roll Over Utes
Some sports betting players thought the Boise State Broncos would get a shot at the national title, but a late loss means they’ll never get to know if they would have had a chance. Look for them to take that frustration in the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl, when they face another top-20 non-AQ (automatic qualifier) team in the Utah Utes, who slumped down the stretch.
- What: NCAA Football Betting
- When: Wednesday, December 22nd, 8:00 PM ET
- Where: Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
- Pick: Boise State -17
What’s On The Line
The No.19 Utes (10-2) were rolling right along until they were dismantled by the TCU Horned Frogs and Notre Dame Fighting Irish late in the season, and they finished second in the Mountain West behind the Horned Frogs. The No.10 Broncos (11-1) may have been en route to the BCS title game before they were upset 34-31 at Nevada in the final week of November, so they may be a bit disappointed to be in the game, and maybe by coming back to the state altogether. Utah has won nine bowl games in a row, which is the longest active streak in the country, but it’ll be put to the test by the Broncos.
Offensive Matchups: Utah Boise State Betting
The offense was fine for Utah until November started, averaging 45.2 points for the first eight games of the year, and then a mere 16.2 points in their last four. The Utes finished the regular season 42nd in the nation on this side of the ball, and they’re a balanced squad. Jordan Wynn was the pivot for most of the year, but Terrance Cain has played well when asked to step in, and he’ll start this game because Wynn had shoulder surgery recently. Matt Asiata and Eddie Wide are a solid duo coming out of the backfield, and Cain will have receiving weapons. The Utes were also fifth in the nation in sacks allowed, but left tackle John Cullen will miss this game as well.
Quarterback Kellen Moore finished fourth in the Heisman race, so he’s obviously one of the best players in the country. But he’s surrounded by talent on the No.4 offense in the country, including receivers Austin Pettis and Titus Young, who should be playing on Sundays when they’re done on the blue turf. Doug Martin ran for over 1,100 yards, and the offensive line was third in the country in sacks allowed. The Broncos did lose tight end Tommy Gallarda to a broken foot, but Boise State has more than enough weapons.
Betting Edge: Boise State
Defensive Matchups: Utah Boise State Betting
This side of the ball also suffered down the stretch for the Utes, who didn’t allow more than 27 points through the first eight games, then did it three times in their last four games, including the 47 that TCU dropped on them in Salt Lake City. The Utes are 20th in total defense, and eighth against the run, Linebackers Chaz Walker and Matt Martinez need to have a big game to slow down Boise State’s ground game. The secondary could be a problem though as the Utes are 59th in pass defense, and they’re going to need a pass rush that was tied for 34th in sacks to get to Moore.
Boise State has one of the best defenses in the country, coming in fourth in total and scoring defense, but their No.6 run defense got exposed in their last two games of the season. They gave up 269 yards on the ground against Nevada, and a lot of that may be down to linebacker Byron Hout, who has a broken foot. End Shea McClellin leads a pass rush that was tops in the nation in sacks, so they’re going to have to impose their will on a great Utah offensive line. The secondary can be picked on if the pass rush doesn’t work.
Betting Edge: Boise State
Notable Injuries: Utah Boise State Betting
Wynn (shoulder) and Cullen (forearm) will definitely miss this game for the Utes, and Cullen will probably be missed more.
Gallarda (foot) has a tiny chance of playing in this game, and will likely join Hout (foot) on the sidelines for the Broncos.
Betting Edge: Draw
Outlook and Pick: Utah Boise State Betting
The Broncos are a 17-point NCAA football betting favorite in the Las Vegas Bowl, and they’ve won six of their last 11 bowls, including a couple of wins in BCS bowls, so they’re used to the big stage. Utah’s 12-3 record gives them the best winning percentage among teams that have gone to at least 10 bowls, and of course, there’s that nine-game winning streak. These two have played three times, with Boise State winning all three, including a 36-3 pummeling in Salt Lake City in 2006. You can bet on seeing an amped-up Boise State team in this game as they saw a possible BCS title chance slip through their fingers, and coach Chris Petersen is good enough to keep them motivated. Utah slipped badly late in the season, and they were really exposed against TCU, and we still think Boise State is a better team than TCU. We’re taking Boise State to romp and cover the online betting spread.
Blake’s Pick: Boise State
