No.19 Utah 20 1/2 Point Favorites Over Utah State

Sports Betting News - September 3rd, 2009 - Written by Scott

The 2008 Mountain West Conference champions Utah Utes will play against their state rival Utah State on Thursday night in both team's season opener. The Utes, ranked 19th in the AP poll, have won eleven straight over the Aggies and look to make it twelve at home on Thursday.  Utah should not have too much of a problem on Thursday as they are getting the BCS attention now that they feel they deserve.  They should take advantage of this lesser prominent program, who returns 19 starters, as they look to break in a few new starters and build on their 13-0 season in 2008.

Look for the Utes in 2009 to rely heavily on the running of starting tailback Matt Asiata.  Utah will be breaking in their new starting quarterback Terrance Cain who is a junior college transfer.  The Utes should undergo some issues early in the season but they should hopefully get them straightened by the Oregon game in a few weeks.  They also have a new group of starting receivers who are unproven.  The defense will have a challenge on their hands in containing Aggies' quarterback Diondre Borel.  Borel led the Aggies in both rushing and passing last season and is a great duel threat.   Having an inexperienced secondary, this should be a great first step in getting them acclimated for the rest of the season.

Utah State and coach Gary Anderson, who coached at Utah last year, are looking for brighter things in 2009.  Especially improving on their 3-9 record in 2008 which was their highest win total in a season since 2005.  Offensively they return 10 starters, including starting quarterback Borel.  He led the team with 1,705 yards passing with 11 touchdowns and rushed for 632 yards and 5 touchdowns.  Although he likes to run when it's available, he will need to become more of a pocket passer when the Aggies debut their new spread option to have it work effectively. The Aggies will be led at running back Robert Turbin.  On the defensive side of the ball,  fans are looking forward to Anderson's fast and punishing defense that thrived during the five years he was at Utah.  They return 7 starters and hope to be as great a force as Anderson's defense last year at Utah which ranked 11th nationally.

Utah comes into the game being the obvious favorites.  Odds makers at BetED have them as 20 1/2 point favorites with a payout listed at -110.  Utah State is being listed as 20 1/2 point underdogs and the payout is -110.  The over/under for this game is set at 52.

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