Oregon State/Utah Predictions, Spread, Lines & Odds
September 30, 2008
The Info Plays team has you covered this week with their Oregon State/Utah predictions for Thursday, October 2nd. This is a rematch from a 24-7 Beavers’ win last season in a game where injuries hurt the Utes’ chances. But the return of a potent offense this season and the best defense in the Mountain West has Utah out for revenge in ‘08. But given the upset Oregon State just pulled off over USC, the Beavers will likely not be intimidated. Now the only question is whether Oregon State will show up to play or whether or not they’ll have a letdown. One of our guest handicappers, the Black Widow, unleashes his 6* Widow Wiseguy CFB Non-Conference GAME OF THE WEEK for only $20.00 that pegs the winner of this game.
The Utah Utes look to remain undefeated after beating Air Force 30-23 two weeks ago and then avoiding a letdown in a 37-21 win over Weber State last week. Utah has moved up two spots in the rankings and now sit in the No. 15 spot. The last time Utah started 5-0 back in 2004, they went on to win all 12 games under Florida head coach Urban Meyer. This Utes’ team is capable of running the tables, but they’ll have to avoid a scare from Oregon State this season if that’s to happen. Bet Utah as 12-point home favorites at BetUs Sportsbook and get a 50% Sign-Up Bonus!
Last week’s win over Weber State was not as close as the final score indicated. Utah took a 34-7 lead before resting their starters in the final quarter. The reserves gave up two late touchdowns to make it a 37-21 final. Senior quarterback Brian Johnson went 18-for-22 for 194 yards in that win. Oregon State (2-2) knocked off the team thought to be the best in the FBS, winning 27-21 against then No.1 Southern California last Thursday. Despite being a 25-point underdog, the Beavers took a 21-0 halftime lead and finished the deal in the second half. This was Oregon State’s first win over a top-ranked team since defeating O.J. Simpson and USC back on Nov. 11, 1967.
It was the Rogers’ brothers who the Trojans simply couldn’t find an answer for. The younger of the two, Jacquizz Rodgers, ran 37 times for 186 yards and two scores. He was the real difference-maker. But older brother, James, had six catches for 36 yards and two touchdowns as well. He made a couple really nice catches to bail out his quarterback. The 5-foot-6 Jacquizz is leading the nation among freshman rushers with 449 yards. He has also found the end zone six times. Wager on Oregon State +12 at Sportsbook.com Thursday!
Utah flaunts the Mountain West’s top defense, giving up a mere 231.4 yards/game. The Utes are also fifth in the nation against the run at 60.2 yards/game. This will be a classic match-up between a great rushing defense and a productive rushing offense. Can Oregon State have the same success on the ground this week against Utah? You will have to tune in to ESPN and find out. But it could be Utah’s running game that has the edge Thursday. They are led by tailbacks Matt Asiata and Darrell Mack with a powerful one-two punch. Both Asiata and Mack had plenty of time to rest last week, so each should be fresh Thursday. Asiata has 320 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 64 carries, while Mack has 319 yards and three touchdowns on 65 carries. So you can see just how balanced their running game really is.
Brian Johnson is the leader of their offense at quarterback. Combine Johnson with Asiata and Mack, and Utah’s offense is averaging 38.4 points and 426.4 yards/game. The Utes will be hoping these skill players can stay healthy for Thursday’s game, considering Asiata was out with a broken leg and Johnson had a shoulder injury. Both players suffered first-half injuries in last season’s 24-7 season-opening loss at Oregon State. In the all-time series, Oregon State holds a 9-4-1 edge over the Utah Utes.
