Houston vs Utah Player Props & Touchdown Picks for College GameDay

• Undefeated Utah hosts 6-1 Houston in a late-night matchup on ESPN
• Both offenses average more than 39 points per game, which shapes where I’m shopping on the board
• Read below for my Houston vs Utah player props and touchdown picks

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Undefeated Utah hosts 6-1 Houston on Saturday, October 24, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, with kickoff at 10:15pm ET on ESPN. It closes out a College GameDay Saturday, and the scoring numbers explain why I’m targeting it. Utah averages 40.17 points per game, and Houston is right behind at 39.29.

Both teams finish drives. Houston has scored touchdowns on 28 of 39 red zone trips, while Utah has cashed 24 of 32. Houston quarterback Conner Weigman is also coming off a 343-yard, five-touchdown passing day against Oklahoma State.

The forecast calls for 3 mph winds and patchy rain, so I’ll keep an eye on conditions closer to kickoff. Here are my Houston vs Utah player props, with every price from BetMGM.

Houston vs Utah Player Props

Odds via BetMGM as of October 23.

Pegan at plus money stands out on this Houston vs Utah prop board, since he already has seven total touchdowns in six games. Dampier’s passing milestone asks for a bit more than his season pace, while Hughes carries the shortest price as the lead back in Houston’s run-first attack.

For more angles across the slate, check our NCAAF Player Props page. If you’re opening an account for Saturday’s late window, the BetMGM promo code page has the current sign-up offer.

Houston vs Utah Prop Pick #1: Devon Dampier 250+ Passing Yards

• Pick: Devon Dampier 250+ Passing Yards (+120 at BetMGM)

Dampier has completed 118 of 172 passes for 1,412 yards, 15 touchdowns and four interceptions through six games. That works out to about 235 yards per game, so this Houston vs Utah player prop needs him to land a little above his average.

The matchup gives him that opportunity. Houston allows just 82.57 rushing yards per game but 265 passing yards per game, which points Utah’s offense toward the air. This prop cashes if Dampier throws for at least 250 yards.

The risk is possession count. Houston converts 61.4% of its third downs, and long drives can shorten the game for Utah. Still, at +120, I like the price on Dampier clearing his average against a defense that has been more forgiving through the air.

Houston vs Utah Touchdown Picks

Both offenses turn red zone trips into touchdowns at a high rate, which is why the anytime market is where I want my Houston vs Utah touchdown picks.

Houston vs Utah Prop Pick #2: Makhi Hughes Anytime Touchdown

• Pick: Makhi Hughes Anytime Touchdown (-115 at BetMGM)

Houston runs for 220.29 yards per game, and Hughes leads the team with 98 carries for 464 yards and three touchdowns. That 61.4% third-down rate keeps drives alive and gives the ground game more chances to reach scoring range.

This Houston vs Utah touchdown pick does have competition. Sanford has 84 carries and two scores, and Weigman has six rushing touchdowns of his own. Utah’s defense is also allowing just 14.83 points per game.

Even so, I’ll back the team’s leading rusher in an offense that has found the end zone on 28 of 39 red zone trips. At -115, Hughes is a fair price in what I expect to be a high-volume rushing script for Houston.

Houston vs Utah Prop Pick #3: Braden Pegan Anytime Touchdown

• Pick: Braden Pegan Anytime Touchdown (+105 at BetMGM)

Pegan has 32 catches for 422 yards and six receiving touchdowns, plus a rushing score. That’s seven total touchdowns in six games, and he’s my favorite plus-money look in this College GameDay matchup.

The setup lines up with the Dampier pick. If Houston’s run defense pushes Utah into more passing downs, Pegan is the receiver who has turned his volume into scores, and Utah has finished 24 of its 32 red zone trips with touchdowns.

Parker is the other big threat, with seven rushing touchdowns and four more through the air. But at +105, I’m getting a better-than-even payout on a player who has averaged more than a touchdown per game.