Arizona vs Utah Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines

Utah got the win it had to have.

It beat Oklahoma State on the road to get to 2-0 in the Big 12, and now it should be favored the rest of the way, at least until going to UCF for the regular season finale. Now it’s about taking care of home against an Arizona team that needs a win.

The Wildcats had two weeks off to prepare after stalling to a dead stop in a 31-7 loss at Kansas State. With BYU looking dangerous in Provo - that’s up after hosting Texas Tech - Arizona could use a huge win to jumpstart Big 12 title hopes.

Arizona vs Utah Preview

Arizona vs Utah How to Watch
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Game Time: 10:15 pm ET
Venue: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT
How to Watch: ESPN
Utah (4-0), Arizona (2-1)
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Why Arizona Will Win

The Utah offense is moving the ball, but it’s not cranking up the points against the Power Four teams.

The defense is making up for it, but the offense is the worst in the Big 12 on third down conversions. It’s a balanced attack, and it’s controlling the clock, but the Wildcats have to load up and generate pressure early on.

Cam Rising is still iffy at best to play, and while Isaac Wilson is a good-looking young options he has thrown five picks so far. He can run, the Cats should make him hurry a bit.

Why Utah Will Win

The Utah defense is still a killer.

There still might be a question mark about Cam Rising and the quarterback situation, and the offense hasn’t always been smooth, but the D - when fully focused - shut down Baylor and last week swarmed all over Oklahoma State’s ground game.

Arizona might have a high-powered passing attack, but the O gets going with the ground game. Kansas State took that away, the Wildcat line was dominated, and the production shut down.

Last year Arizona averaged close to five yards per carry in the 42-18 win over the Utes. That’s not happening against this bunch - at least on a consistent basis - outside of one or two big dashes. So …

Arizona vs Utah: Who Will Win

Can the Arizona passing game start rolling?

It cranked it all up against a bad New Mexico defense and stalled out against Kansas State - it’ll be better in this, but it won’t be enough.

Star WR Tetairoa McMillan will get the ball early and often, but the Utah defense will take out the rest of the Wildcat playmakers.

It won’t exactly be revenge for last year’s blowout loss, but the Utes will come up with a strong statement for the second week in a row.

Arizona vs Utah Prediction, Betting Lines

Utah 27, Arizona 20
Line: Utah -7.5, o/u: 47.5
ATS Confidence out of 5:
Arizona vs Utah Must See Rating: 3

Week 5 CFN Expert Picks
Georgia at Alabama | Va Tech at Miami
Wash at Rutgers | Kentucky at Ole Miss
Minn at Michigan | Okla St at Kansas St
Nebraska at Purdue | Wisconsin at USC
Louisville at Notre Dame | Ark at Texas A&M
Colorado at UCF | Ohio St at Michigan St
Illinois at Penn St | Wash St at Boise St
Arizona at Utah | Oregon at UCLA