#20 Utah Utes at Oregon State Beavers
Reser Stadium – Corvallis, Oregon
Thursday, October 16, 2014, 10:00 pm Pacific, TV: Pac 12 Network, Fox Sports 2
Opening Line: Utah -1 (-106)
Current Line: Utah -2 1/2 (-115)
Opening Total: 54 1/2
Current Total: 53
Opening Money Line: Utah -130 / Oregon State +110
Current Money Line: Utah -135 / Oregon State +115
Both the Utah Utes and Oregon State Beavers are 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the Pac 12. The two teams meet Thursday in Corvallis. Oregon State leads the series 11-6-1 overall, including 5-1-1 in Corvallis. The Beavers have won two straight games in the series including 51-48 last season in Salt Lake City. The Utes have won 4 of the last 7 overall against the Beavers.
Utah is coached by Kyle Whittingham. The Utes lost at home to Washington State 28-27. Otherwise, Utah has home wins over Idaho State 56-14 and Fresno State 59-27. The Utes have road wins over Michigan 26-10 and two weeks ago against then #8 UCLA 30-28. Utah is 4-1 ATS and the total is 2-3 this season. The Utes were 13 point underdogs against UCLA and the total was 64.
Oregon State is coached by Mike Riley. The Beavers have a loss at USC 35-10. Oregon State has home wins over Portland State 29-14 and San Diego State 28-7, along with road wins over Hawaii 38-30 and Colorado 36-31 two weeks ago. The Beavers are 2-3 ATS and the total is also 2-3 this season. Oregon State was a 4 point favorite at Colorado and the total was 52.
Utah is outscoring teams 40-21 this season. The Utes are #19 in scoring and #40 nationally in points allowed. Utah is averaging 420 yards per game on offense including 218 passing and 202 rushing yards per game. The Utes are #35 nationally in rushing. Utah is allowing 377 yards per game on defense including 263 passing and 113 rushing yards per game. The Utes are #22 in rush defense. Utah is even in turnovers with 9 takeaways and giveaways. The Utes average 68 penalty yards per game and opponents average 37. Utah is 39/92 on third and fourth down conversions and opponents are 42/98. The Utes have forced 28 sacks and allowed 11 this season. Utah is 13/16 scoring in the red zone with 9 touchdowns, and opponents are 9/11 with 9 touchdowns. Utah has 3 punt returns for a touchdown, a kickoff return, and 2 pick sixes, and have allowed one defensive touchdown.
Utah quarterback Travis Wilson has completed 57.4% of his passes for 788 yards with 7 touchdowns and no picks, along with 34 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown. Oklahoma transfer Kendal Thompson usually takes a few snaps a game as well. He has completed 61.5% of his passes for 284 yards with 2 touchdowns and an interception, along with 42 carries for 144 yards and a touchdowns. Running back Devontae Booker has 88 carries for 513 yards and a touchdown, plus 8 catches for 81 yards. Bubba Poole has 33 carries for 145 yards and a touchdown, along with 6 catches for 89 yards. Receiver Dres Anderson has 15 catches for 290 yards and 4 touchdowns. Kenneth Scott has 22 catches for 228 yards and 3 touchdowns. Kaelin Clay has 13 catches for 129 yards, but also has 4 return touchdowns including 3 punts. Five defensive players are listed as questionable or out.
Oregon State is outscoring teams 28-23 this season. The Beavers are averaging 393 yards per game on offense including 261 passing and 132 rushing yards. OSU is #48 in passing but #105 in rushing out of 128 FBS teams. On defense, the Beavers are allowing 331 yards per game including 199 passing and 133 rushing yards. Oregon State is #44 or better in all 3 categories. The Beavers are +3 in turnovers with 10 takeaways. Oregon State is averaging 84 penalty yards per game and opponents are averaging 79. The Beavers are 22/64 on third and fourth down conversions and opponents are 30/83. OSU has forced 11 sacks and allowed 12 this season. The Beavers are 21/24 scoring in the red zone with 12 touchdowns and opponents are 12/14 with 11 touchdowns. Oregon State has a kick return for a touchdown and has allowed a pick six this season.
Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion has completed 64.8% of his passes for 1,304 yards with 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Running back Terron Ward has 59 carries for 343 yards and 6 touchdowns along with 11 catches for 100 yards. Storm Woods has 59 carries for 342 yards with 3 touchdowns, along with 13 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Victor Bolden has 24 catches for 230 yards and a touchdown. Connor Hamlett has 18 catches for 219 yards and a touchdown. Richard Mullaney has 18 catches for 216 yards and a touchdown. Caleb Smith and Hunter Jarmon will also get catches, along with the running backs.
Utah is 4-0 ATS against teams with winning records, 4-1 after rushing for more than 200 yards, overall and passing for 170 yards or less, 11-4 after a bye week, 4-10 in Pac 12 games, and 6-16 after a straight up win.
Oregon State is 16-5 ATS after a bye week, 43-16-1 in October, 3-7 at home, 2-5 against teams with winning road records, and 3-8 after a cover. The Beavers are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 games against the Utes.
Both of these teams are 4-1 and the winner could be a dark horse contender in their respective Pac 12 divisions. Oregon State has struggled on offense but has been great on defense. Utah has been consistent on both sides of the ball. I think the Utes find a way to win a close game on the road.
