The Arkansas Razorbacks (1-0) and the No. 20 Utah Utes (1-0) meet Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:15 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let's analyze college football odds around the Arkansas vs. Utah odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.
Arkansas and Utah meet for the first time on the gridiron.
The Razorbacks posted a 31-14 win over North Alabama in Fayetteville last weekend but came nowhere near covering as 40.5-point favorites as the Under (63.5) cashed. Arkansas had 29 first downs to just 7 for North Alabama while posting 415 total yards to just 153 for the Lions. The game was relatively close because Arkansas was minus-2 in turnover margin and committed 8 penalties
for 74 yards. All of that needs cleaning up if the Hogs want a shot against the Utes.
Arkansas QB KJ Jackson threw for 267 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT while adding 27 yards on the ground. RB Braylen Russell had 49 rushing yards and a TD to lead the way while senior WR Chris Marshall had a team-best 79 receiving yards and 7 catches.
Meanwhile, Utah routed FCS Idaho 66-14 to give Morgan Scalley his first win as full-time head coach as he takes over for Kyle Whittingham in SLC. (Scalley led the Utes to a 44-22 win over Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl last season after taking over as interim coach.) Utah had 33 first downs and 633 total yards on Saturday while the Vandals posted just 13 first downs and 225 total yards. Utah was plus-2 in turnover margin, too. QB Devon Dampier threw for 176 yards and 3 TDs before giving way to backup QB Byrd Ficklin, who had 93 yards and 2 TDs passing and another 70 yards rushing. WR Braden Pegan posted 4 receptions for 81 yards and a TD.
Arkansas last played a Big 12 team in the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 27, 2024, winning 39-26, and its last regular-season game against the Big 12 was a 39-31 OT loss at Oklahoma State on Sept. 7, 2024.
Utah last faced an SEC team Aug. 31, 2023, topping Florida at Rice-Eccles 24-11 as a 4.5-point favorite as the Under (44.5) cashed.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
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Arkansas at Utah odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 11 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Arkansas +375 (bet $100 to win $380) | Utah -475 (bet $500 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Arkansas +12.5 (-108) | Utah -12.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 55.5 (O: -108 | U: -110)
Arkansas at Utah picks and predictions
Prediction
Utah 34, Arkansas 20
Moneyline
Utah (-475) will set you back nearly 5 times your potential return, and that's way too expensive. There is never a reason to risk that much, even if you fold into a multi-leg parlay. The Utes take a ton of value out of your ticket.
PASS.
Against the spread
UTAH -12.5 (-110) is worth backing at home, as long as this stays at 13.5 or lower. If it were to close at a flat 14 or higher, then go a little more conservatively.
The Razorbacks struggled with turnovers last week against a much more disciplined FCS opponent. Arkansas comes in with a lot more stink, and that was at home. It remains to be seen how a young team will go on the road and fare. The likelihood is that it won't be a very good showing.
Over/Under
UNDER 55.5 (-110) is the lean, but side with a half-unit play at most.
The Under hit in last week's game for the Hogs, while the Utes rolled up a big number on offense. Utah isn't likely to operate with impunity like it did against the FCS Vandals, as the Razorbacks are an SEC defense -- albeit a mediocre one.
Best prop bet
BRADEN PEGAN - 2+ TOUCHDOWNS (+650)
Backing Utah's best receiver to for the chance to score twice at more than a 6X return is intriguing. Pegan scored last week against Idaho and he is a high-volume pass catcher.
Betting odds calculator
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Follow Daniel Dobish on X at @danieledobish. Follow SportsbookWire on X at SportsBookWire and on Facebook.
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Arkansas Razorbacks at Utah Utes odds, picks and predictions
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