In a clash of former Pac-12 rivals, the Arizona State Sun Devils will host the Utah Utes in a Big 12 showdown on Friday night. Both teams are currently 4-1 this season and have begun conference play with 1-1 records. Arizona State is coming off a victory against Kansas, while Utah suffered a defeat against Arizona in its most recent game. Historically, Utah has had the upper hand, winning and covering the spread in the last four encounters between the two teams. However, Utah has struggled against the spread recently, with a 2-6 record in its last eight games, while Arizona State has been strong, winning and covering in four of its last five matches.
Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET at Mountain America Stadium, where Arizona State remains undefeated at 3-0 this season. The Utes are favored by 6 points according to the latest odds, which is an increase from the opening line, and the over/under is set at 46.5 points. For in-depth insights, predictions from a sophisticated computer model are available at SportsLine.
This model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times and has produced significant profits, exceeding $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It performed notably well with an 8-4 record on top picks over the past two weeks.
Focusing on Arizona State’s strengths, the Sun Devils have achieved their first 4-1 start since 2021, highlighted by their historic victory in the Big 12 against Kansas last week. Quarterback Sam Leavitt had a standout performance with four touchdown passes, and running back Cameron Skattebo rushed for 182 yards and one touchdown, totaling 378 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns over the last two games. His powerful running style has been crucial for Arizona State’s offensive play, especially considering Utah’s recent struggles against the run.
On the other hand, Utah is currently ranked No. 16 in the AP Top 25, despite their recent loss. The team returns from a bye week, and starting quarterback Cam Rising is expected to be back in action. His performance is vital for Utah’s aspirations in the College Football Playoff. Additionally, Utah boasts one of the top defenses in college football, allowing only 15.0 points per game and ranking highly in yards allowed. Key defensive player Van Fillinger leads the team in tackles for loss and sacks, adding to their formidable defensive capabilities.
For those interested in making picks for the Arizona State versus Utah game, the model has indicated a lean towards the over and has produced a point-spread pick successful in over 60% of simulations. Detailed results and insights can be accessed at SportsLine.