BYU Cougars vs Utah Runnin’ Utes Betting Pick & Prediction 12/9/23

Betting on today’s Cougars and Runnin’ Utes game? Catch the action at Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, UT, as the Runnin’ Utes hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on PACN. The Cougars are favored in this non-conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 152.5 points.

BYU COUGARS VS UTAH RUNNIN’ UTES BETTING PICK

The Pick: Utah Runnin’ Utes +4

This game will be played at Jon M. Huntsman Center at 7:00 ET on Saturday, December 9th.

WHY BET THE UTAH RUNNIN’ UTES:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-67 in favor of the Runnin’ Utes.
• Not only will Utah pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +4.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 152.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 143 points.

Pressure Builds for BYU as Away Favorites

BYU is entering their 9th game of the season, with a perfect 8-0 record. In their last three road games, which includes games from last year, BYU has a 2-1 record. Up to this point, BYU has a perfect 7-0 record vs. the spread heading into today’s game. When playing away, the Cougars are 2-0 vs. the spread, while at home they are a flawless 5-0 ATS.

After eight games, BYU has an over/under record of 2-5-0, with their games averaging a combined 150.9 points per game so far. The Cougars’ have recorded an over/under record of 1-2 in their last three games, with their games averaging 157 points per game.

In their recent matchup, the BYU offense ended with 85 points against Fresno State. They finished with an overall field goal percentage of 49.3% and made 11 threes. The BYU offense has been looking to get up shots from outside so far this season, averaging 32.9 three-point attempts per contest. Overall, they have connected on 39% of their looks from outside this season.

So far this season, the BYU defense has been performing well, ranking 8th in the country at 59.0 points allowed per contest. In their previous game vs. Fresno State, the Bulldogs finished with a field goal percentage of 46% and a total of 56 points vs. BYU.

Can Utah Deliver Being Underdogs at Home?

Utah’s game against BYU will be their ninth of the year and they currently hold a 6-2 record. In their two road games, the Runnin’ Utes are undefeated, while they have a 3-2 record at home. Heading into their game against BYU, Utah holds a 5-2 ATS record. Over their last five games, the team has gone 2-3 vs. the spread.

Utah’s games have, on average, featured 151.1 points per game leading to an over/under record of 4-2-1. Their average over/under line is currently 141.4 points so far. In their most recent three games, the Runnin’ Utes’ over/under record is 2-0-1, with their games averaging 155 points per game.

The Utah offense is coming off a game in which they scored 79 points vs. Hawaii. Overall their field goal percentage was 52.6% while connecting on 5 threes. Offensively, the Runnin’ Utes hold a season-long field goal percentage of 48%, placing them 112nd in the national rankings. When it comes to three-pointers, they are ranked 66th in terms of percentage and 94th in three-pointers made.

On the defensive side, Utah is currently hovering around the NCAA’s average for points allowed, conceding an average of 72.4 points per game. In terms of field goal percentage allowed, Utah’s defense has allowed opponents to shoot 43.4% from the field, including a three-point shooting percentage allowed of 36.2% this season.