Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs. Utah Utes 8/29/24 – Following the start of the college football season, this Thursday will see Southern Utah Thunderbirds take on Utah Utes. This game, starting at 9:00 PM ET at Rice-Eccles Stadium can be a promising showdown between two teams with different last season’s records—Southern Utah having had the record of 6-5 and Utah, on its part, managing to finish with 8-5. Apart from creating fans’ enthusiasm, this encounter also gives some no-cost NCAAF picks for bettors who like making bets.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs. Utah Utes 8/29/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Rice-Eccles Stadium |
| TV: | ESP+ |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Southern Utah Thunderbirds (6-5 Last season) vs. Utah Utes (8-5 Last season)
Southern Utah had a 6-5 record that did not completely capture their competitiveness, making it look like a season of mixed results. They have a healthy run game, as Braedon Wissler, the leading rusher with 684 yards on 145 carries, demonstrates for them. However, it needs to be more potent to counter stiffer defenses. These elements included Braeden Wissler, who made 684 yards on his feet, and Timmy Patrick`s total of 339 receiving yards made Southern Utah’s offenses well balanced. These assets will be crucial in their upcoming battle, especially considering their dire track record against Pac-12 teams, resembling the competitive spirit in New Hampton vs UCF faceoff.
However, Utah Utes on the other side come in with a different proposition, especially when they play at home, where they have recorded a 19-1 win in their last twenty matches so far. Jaylon Glover his own running back, had only managed 562 rushing yards last year, and Money Parks, one of the main receivers, finished with 293 receiving yards last season. Their performance tonight will be vital as they look to exploit Southern Utah’s defensive gaps, much like the calculated plays expected in the West Carolina vs NC State duel.
Justin Miller QB vs. Luke Bottari QB
A successful year saw 2,527 passing yards and 28 touchdowns from the Southern Utah’s Justin Miller. Nevertheless, his 9 interceptions and a tendency to get nervous when pressured reflected in the nine sacks against him show vulnerabilities that Utah may exploit. The efficiency of Thunderbirds’ offense is likely to be significantly influenced by how well Miller connects on deep passes and maintains composure under rush from defenders.
On the other hand, Luke Bottari shows some promise, with only 79 passing yards from last season but a completion rate of 63.6%. Therefore, he has to play a perfect game tonight if he wants to assert himself as someone who can be relied upon by the Utes. Doubts remain whether Bottari can hold up under four quarters’ worth of pressure considering his limited playing time last year, most notably versus an opponent looking for an upset.
The clash of these quarterbacks will be a defining element of the game. How intriguing it will be when we juxtapose Miller’s experience and ability to perform well under pressure with Bottari’s potential and readiness for this huge stage? This direct comparison will not only highlight their individual skill but also which team best adapts its tactics based on its quarterback’s strengths or weaknesses.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Utah Utes -38 -110, Total Odds: 53
The betting odds are heavily in favor of the Utah Utes, reflecting their strong home record and Southern Utah’s struggles on the road and against Pac-12 opponents. The 38-point spread is daunting and suggests that oddsmakers expect Utah to dominate.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds Betting Trends
Southern Utah’s betting trends don’t inspire much confidence, with a 3-6 record against the spread (ATS) in their last 9 games and a concerning 0-15 record in their last 15 road games. These trends suggest they struggle to cover large spreads, especially away from home.
Utah Utes Betting Trends
Utah’s betting trends are a mixed bag, with a 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games but an impressive 6-0 ATS record in their last 6 games played in August. This trend suggests that Utah starts their seasons strong, particularly in home games.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs. Utah Utes 8/29/24 Betting Picks
Looking at the teams’ comprehensive analysis, contrasting fortunes and final thoughts, we might lean towards a Utah victory but the large spread makes a straight win more attractive than a spread bet. In case anyone is interested in prop bets or over/under bets, trends indicate that for those who want to take risks, betting on the total going over 53 could be intriguing due to both sides being adept at scoring.
For conservative bettors, focusing on an outright win by Utah could be the best alternative. Handicapping Sports Picks should consider past data and Utah’s psychological edge at home.