NCAAF No. 13 Utah at No. 5 Washington FREE PICK

There’s a big Pac-12 battle Saturday afternoon, the 13th-ranked Utah Utes (7-2, 4-2 conference) visiting the conference-leading No. 5 Washington Huskies (9-0, 6-0).

Game time at Husky Stadium in Seattle is 3:30 PM ET.

Utah was trounced at home, 35-6, by the Oregon Ducks, then mauled the Arizona St. Sun Devils. 55-3, also in Salt Lake City. Utah ended with 513 yards of offense, 353 on the ground.

Washington went to Los Angeles and hung 52 points (and 572 yards) on the USC Trojans’ woeful defense. Dillon Johnson ran wild to the tune of 256 yards (four touchdowns). 

Washington is a 9½-point favorite (total of 54), according to college football odds.

Moneyline is UW -325, Utah at +265.

Washington is leading the all-time series, 13-2. 

Those Stingy Utes

With injuries to key personnel on offense, Utah’s stingy defense (17 points per game [T-10th]) has held the fort. Utah is permitting just over 300 yards/game, and it’s going to take a big effort against the Huskies on the road.  

Playing without standout quarterback Cam Rising (torn ACL, among other things) this entire season has left the duties to Bryson Barnes (930 passing yards, eight touchdowns, five interceptions). While no Rising, Barnes has generally been steady (three rushing touchdowns).

Devaughn Vele’s 29 receptions leads the team, along with Ja’Quinden Jackson’s 598 rushing yards (5.3 yards/carry). As a team, Utah is averaging nearly 188 ground yards.

Huskies Quite Explosive

You don’t get to 9-0 without reasons. Washington is averaging 41.7 points per game (fourth in nation), fueled by an NCAA-leading 383.1 passing yards/game.

Quarterback  Michael Penix Jr. (3,201 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, seven interceptions) is not afraid to throw it deep. Wideouts Rome Odunze and Ja’lynn Polksd have a combined 107 receptions and more than 1,800 yards (15 touchdowns). 

The aforementioned Dillon Johnson has 10 rushing touchdowns to date. 

This Husky defense did not distinguish itself against USC, while surrendering 23 points/game.  

Washington, But Close

Washington is the 8-5 (+160) second choice to win the Pac-12, while the Utes are 26-1 (+2600), as per college football conference odds.

While the Huskies have been able to tilt the scoreboard throughout the season, expect a valiant effort by the visitors. 

Utah struggled against Oregon two weeks ago, but has otherwise acquitted itself well (including a win at USC). Obviously, the Ute defense needs to excel.

Take those 9½ points with the visiting Utah Utes, as they should be competitive. Go under, too.