The Utes are expecting to get starting quarterback Tyler Huntley back on the field after he missed last game of the regular season.
The first matchup of two Power 5 conference teams doesn’t have the same allure because both teams limped to the finish line and a number of star players will be sitting this one out when the Utah Utes face the West Virginia Mountaineers.
Utes vs. Mountaineers Spread and Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 9 Dec 7:26pm | UTAH | -7 -110 | O +57.5 -110 |
Closing 26 Dec 5:56pm | UTAH | -7 -110 | O +55.5 -110 |
The Mountaineers went 7-5 straight up and 5-6-1 against the spread during the regular season with the over going 7-4-1 in their 12 games. West Virginia is 1-3 SU and 0-4 ATS in its last four postseason appearances.
The Utes endured a horrible campaign in the Pac-12 that saw them win only three of their nine conference battles, and finish with a 6-6 mark straight up and 8-3-1 against the spread. The over cashed in four of Utah’s final five games and went 6-6 on the year.
Utah is 13-1 SU in its bowl appearances since 1996 and 10-3 ATS in its last 13 postseason games.
Nearly 65 percent of Sports Interaction bettors expect the Utes to cover as 6.5-point favourites and more than 70 percent are betting the game to finish over the 56-point total.
Utah Utes
Getting Tyler Huntley back on the field would be good news for Utah backers. The Utes are more dangerous attacking team with Huntley under centre despite going 2-1 SU and 2-0-1 ATS in the three games he missed.
Huntley can throw and run as his 302.9 combined yards per game average shows. Utah will turn to its senior and starter from a year ago, Troy Williams, should Huntley not be able to play.
West Virginia Mountaineers
The Mountaineers will be without their starting quarterback and running back in this game but for different reasons. Tailback Justin Crawford elected to sit this game out to avoid an injury threat with the NFL combine only a few months away. He ran for 1061 yards and seven touchdowns during the season.
Kennedy McKoy will get the majority of carries with Crawford out. He gained 565 yards and seven TDs and finished with a 5.1 yards per carry average.
Starting QB Will Grier won’t be as easily replaced. He missed the last two games because of a broken finger that still hasn’t healed. WVU went 0-2 SU and ATS while getting outscored 87-45 in the two games backup Chris Chugunov started in place of Grier.
Injuries
Jaylon Johnson (DB)
Darren Carrington II (WR)
Tyler Huntley (QB)
Julian Blackmon (DB)
Casey Hughes (DB)
Kylie Fitts (DE)
Chase Hansen (DB)
Zack Moss (RB)
Sunia Tauteoli (LB)
Marquise Blair (DB)
Justin Crawford (RB)
Kyle Bosch (OL)
Josh Sills (OL)
Will Grier (QB)
Adam Shuler II (DL)
Xavier Preston (LB)
Toyous Avery (S)
Mike Molina (K)
Brendan Ferns (LB)
Jacob Buccigrossi (OL)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jaylon Johnson (DB) | Out Tues | Undisclosed - 20 / 12 / 17 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Johnson will not be available for the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl against West Virginia due to unknown reasons. |
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Darren Carrington II (WR) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 19 / 12 / 17 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Carrington II is nursing an undefined injury and it is undetermined if he will play in the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl against West Virginia. |
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Tyler Huntley (QB) | Prob Tues | Undisclosed - 04 / 12 / 17 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Huntley is dealing with an unspecified injury but is expected to suit up for the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl against West Virginia. |
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Julian Blackmon (DB) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 14 / 11 / 17 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Blackmon is dealing with an unspecified issue and his availability against Washington on Saturday is in question. |
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Casey Hughes (DB) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 14 / 11 / 17 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Hughes missed the last game for unknown reasons and his status for Saturday's matchup against Colorado is up in the air. |
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Kylie Fitts (DE) | Prob Tues | Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 17 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Fitts missed the last two games for unknown reasons but is expected to be available for the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl against West Virginia. |
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Chase Hansen (DB) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 17 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Hansen missed the last game with an undisclosed issue and it is unclear if he will play Saturday against Colorado. |
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Zack Moss (RB) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 17 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Moss is hampered by an injury to an unannounced area and it is undetermined if he will suit up against Washington on Saturday. |
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Sunia Tauteoli (LB) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 17 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Tauteoli is battling an injury to an unlisted location and it is uncertain if he will suit up Saturday against Washington. |
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Marquise Blair (DB) | out for season | Leg - 07 / 11 / 17 | 3-1 | 3-1 | + - |
Blair is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a leg injury. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Justin Crawford (RB) | Out Tues | Personal - 14 / 12 / 17 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Crawford will not take part in the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl against Utah as he prepares for the 2018 NFL Draft. |
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Kyle Bosch (OL) | Out Tues | Undisclosed - 19 / 11 / 17 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Bosch missed the last game dealing with an undisclosed issue and will not play in the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl against Utah. |
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Josh Sills (OL) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 19 / 11 / 17 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Sills has an unspecified injury and it is unknown if he will play against Oklahoma on Saturday. |
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Will Grier (QB) | Out Tues | Finger - 18 / 11 / 17 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Grier is recovering from a broken finger and will not play in the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl against Utah. |
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Adam Shuler II (DL) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 05 / 11 / 17 | 1-2 | 1-3 | + - |
Shuler II is dealing with an unspecified injury and it is undetermined if he will suit up against Kansas State on Saturday. |
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Xavier Preston (LB) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 01 / 11 / 17 | 1-3 | 2-3 | + - |
Preston has missed the last three games for undisclosed reasons and his status is unclear for Saturday's contest against Oklahoma. |
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Toyous Avery (S) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 29 / 10 / 17 | 1-3 | 2-3 | + - |
Avery missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury and it is undetermined if he will suit up Saturday against Texas. |
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Mike Molina (K) | Ques Tues | Hip - 29 / 10 / 17 | 1-3 | 2-3 | + - |
Molina missed the last four games with a hip injury and it is undetermined if he will play in the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl against Utah. |
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Brendan Ferns (LB) | out for season | Shoulder - 25 / 09 / 17 | - | - | + - |
Ferns is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury. |
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Jacob Buccigrossi (OL) | Ques Tues | Knee - 20 / 09 / 17 | - | - | + - |
Buccigrossi is recovering from a torn ACL and it is unknown if he will play in the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl against Utah. |
Utes vs. Mountaineers Prediction
-
UTES
34 -
MOUNTAINEERS
24
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 9 Dec 7:26pm UTAH -7 -110 O +57.5 -110 Closing 26 Dec 5:56pm UTAH -7 -110 O +55.5 -110 -
Injuries
Jaylon Johnson (DB)
Out Tues Undisclosed - 20 / 12 / 17Darren Carrington II (WR)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 19 / 12 / 17Tyler Huntley (QB)
Prob Tues Undisclosed - 04 / 12 / 17Julian Blackmon (DB)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 14 / 11 / 17Casey Hughes (DB)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 14 / 11 / 17Kylie Fitts (DE)
Prob Tues Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 17Chase Hansen (DB)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 17Zack Moss (RB)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 17Sunia Tauteoli (LB)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 17Marquise Blair (DB)
out for season Leg - 07 / 11 / 17Justin Crawford (RB)
Out Tues Personal - 14 / 12 / 17Kyle Bosch (OL)
Out Tues Undisclosed - 19 / 11 / 17Josh Sills (OL)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 19 / 11 / 17Will Grier (QB)
Out Tues Finger - 18 / 11 / 17Adam Shuler II (DL)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 05 / 11 / 17Xavier Preston (LB)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 01 / 11 / 17Toyous Avery (S)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 29 / 10 / 17Mike Molina (K)
Ques Tues Hip - 29 / 10 / 17Brendan Ferns (LB)
out for season Shoulder - 25 / 09 / 17Jacob Buccigrossi (OL)
Ques Tues Knee - 20 / 09 / 17Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jaylon Johnson (DB) Out Tues Undisclosed - 20 / 12 / 17 1-0 0-1 + - Johnson will not be available for the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl against West Virginia due to unknown reasons.
Darren Carrington II (WR) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 19 / 12 / 17 1-0 0-1 + - Carrington II is nursing an undefined injury and it is undetermined if he will play in the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl against West Virginia.
Tyler Huntley (QB) Prob Tues Undisclosed - 04 / 12 / 17 1-0 0-1 + - Huntley is dealing with an unspecified injury but is expected to suit up for the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl against West Virginia.
Julian Blackmon (DB) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 14 / 11 / 17 2-1 2-1 + - Blackmon is dealing with an unspecified issue and his availability against Washington on Saturday is in question.
Casey Hughes (DB) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 14 / 11 / 17 2-1 2-1 + - Hughes missed the last game for unknown reasons and his status for Saturday's matchup against Colorado is up in the air.
Kylie Fitts (DE) Prob Tues Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 17 2-1 2-1 + - Fitts missed the last two games for unknown reasons but is expected to be available for the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl against West Virginia.
Chase Hansen (DB) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 17 2-1 2-1 + - Hansen missed the last game with an undisclosed issue and it is unclear if he will play Saturday against Colorado.
Zack Moss (RB) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 17 2-1 2-1 + - Moss is hampered by an injury to an unannounced area and it is undetermined if he will suit up against Washington on Saturday.
Sunia Tauteoli (LB) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 17 2-1 2-1 + - Tauteoli is battling an injury to an unlisted location and it is uncertain if he will suit up Saturday against Washington.
Marquise Blair (DB) out for season Leg - 07 / 11 / 17 3-1 3-1 + - Blair is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a leg injury.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Justin Crawford (RB) Out Tues Personal - 14 / 12 / 17 0-1 1-0 + - Crawford will not take part in the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl against Utah as he prepares for the 2018 NFL Draft.
Kyle Bosch (OL) Out Tues Undisclosed - 19 / 11 / 17 0-2 1-1 + - Bosch missed the last game dealing with an undisclosed issue and will not play in the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl against Utah.
Josh Sills (OL) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 19 / 11 / 17 0-2 1-1 + - Sills has an unspecified injury and it is unknown if he will play against Oklahoma on Saturday.
Will Grier (QB) Out Tues Finger - 18 / 11 / 17 1-2 1-2 + - Grier is recovering from a broken finger and will not play in the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl against Utah.
Adam Shuler II (DL) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 05 / 11 / 17 1-2 1-3 + - Shuler II is dealing with an unspecified injury and it is undetermined if he will suit up against Kansas State on Saturday.
Xavier Preston (LB) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 01 / 11 / 17 1-3 2-3 + - Preston has missed the last three games for undisclosed reasons and his status is unclear for Saturday's contest against Oklahoma.
Toyous Avery (S) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 29 / 10 / 17 1-3 2-3 + - Avery missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury and it is undetermined if he will suit up Saturday against Texas.
Mike Molina (K) Ques Tues Hip - 29 / 10 / 17 1-3 2-3 + - Molina missed the last four games with a hip injury and it is undetermined if he will play in the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl against Utah.
Brendan Ferns (LB) out for season Shoulder - 25 / 09 / 17 - - + - Ferns is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury.
Jacob Buccigrossi (OL) Ques Tues Knee - 20 / 09 / 17 - - + - Buccigrossi is recovering from a torn ACL and it is unknown if he will play in the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl against Utah.