Odds, picks, best bet for Saturday’s ‘Holy War’

One of college football’s fiercest rivalries gets renewed with massive stakes Saturday evening.

Known colloquially as “The Holy War,” this is the 97th meeting between BYU and Utah, but it’s hard to recall a clash with more on the line than this weekend’s tilt at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.

No. 15 BYU is undefeated at 6-0 and has its sights set on a chance to play for the Big 12 title, while No. 23 Utah has one blemish on its record and can’t afford another.

The Utes are a 3.5-point favorite on the road, which may raise some eyebrows given the game’s location and their opponent’s higher ranking and perfect record.

BYU vs. Utah odds, prediction

Utah came out of the blocks hot with comprehensive wins over UCLA, Cal Poly, and Wyoming, but they were stopped in their tracks by Texas Tech in Salt Lake City, a result that completely derailed a bandwagon that was filling up quickly.

What we’ve learned since then is that Texas Tech is one of the best teams in the country, and that Utah just may be too.

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The Utes crushed West Virginia and Arizona State by a combined score of 90-24 in their two games since losing to the Red Raiders, setting up this crucial rivalry game Saturday.

Quarterback Devon Dampier played his way onto the Heisman radar after three games, then off it against Texas Tech, but he’d be right back in the running with a big showing against BYU.

BYU will also be confident that its quarterback, Bear Bachmeier, can be a game-winner, but the freshman will be going up against a terrific Utah defense that ranks No. 6 in SP+ on the season.

Bachmeier has done what he’s needed to do to get the Cougars to 6-0, but the schedule has been pretty kind, and BYU has been on the right side of some very close games against Colorado and Arizona.

BYU’s inability to put away lesser teams like the Buffaloes and Wildcats doesn’t bode well for a showdown against a Utah team that’s back on a roll.

The Play: Utah -3.5 (-104, FanDuel)

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Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.