Utah vs UCLA Odds, Spread and Picks (Oct. 8)

• No. 11 Utah is a 4-point favorite over UCLA on Saturday (Oct. 8)
• No. 18 UCLA is 5-0 for the first time since 2013
• Read below for Utah vs UCLA odds, spread and betting prediction

No. 11 Utah (4-1, 2-0 Pac-12) is a 4-point road favorite over UCLA in a Pac-12 game at 3:30 pm ET Saturday, October 8th on FOX at the Rose Bowl. Utah has won four in a row since a 29-26 upset loss at Florida on Sept. 3.

No. 18 UCLA (5-0, 2-0) stopped previously undefeated No. 15 Washington 40-32 as a 2.5-point home underdog in its last time out Friday. The Bruins and USC, both in the Southern Division, are the only remaining unbeaten teams in the Pac-12.

Let’s dive into the Uta vs UCLA odds and find the best bet for this crucial Pac-12 matchup.

Utah vs UCLA Odds

Odds from Barstool Sportsbook on Oct 5. Claim the Barstool Sportsbook promo code.

Utah was bet up to a 4.5-point favorite early in the week before the line slipped. The Utes have dominated this series recently, going 5-0 SU and ATS in the last five with an average victory margin of 27 points. Utah has scored at least 40 points in each of the last five and beat the Bruins 44-24 as a 6.5-point home favorite last season.

The total has gone over in seven of the Utes’ last eight road games and has gone over in four of the Bruins’ last five overall. UCLA is 5-0 SU in its last five at home.

UCLA Enters After Big Win

UCLA played its cleanest game of the year in a 40-32 victory over Washington last Friday, what was its biggest game to date as it looks to regain some Pac-12 cred. The Bruins shortened their league title chances considerably in the Conference Title odds, although Utah remains the favorite over USC.

Kicking off the week like:

(via @UCLAFootball) pic.twitter.com/VkqN8tnaZ7

— Bleacher Report CFB (@BR_CFB) October 3, 2022

Fifth-year senior quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson is having his best year by far. He has completed 74.3 percent of his passes for 1,211 yards and 11 touchdowns against one interception. He is 12th Division I in passing efficiency, and also has rushed for 223 yards and three scores.

Complementary weapons running back Zach Charbonnet and Duke transfer wide receiver Jake Bobo have chipped in. Charbonnet is averaging 104 yards rushing per game and has five touchdowns, and Bobo had 142 yards and two touchdowns against Washington.

The Bruins make their debut in this week’s @AP_Top25 poll. 👀 pic.twitter.com/NrFqVxcbnY

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) October 2, 2022

Charbonnet had three 100-yard rushing games (he missed the 45-7 Alabama State rout in week two) this season and has five 100-yarders in his last six.

Utah Rebounding Strong

After being upset in the season opener due to a special performance by Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, Utah has recovered as expected. After hammering Division II Southern Utah 73-7, the Utes have outscored their last three Division I opponents by an average of 25 points.

Quarterback Cam Rising leads an offense that averages 200 yards per game both rushing and passing (as does UCLA). Rising has completed 68 percent of his passes for 1,153 yards, 13 touchdowns and two interceptions, and a win here could push the Utes past USC in the college football playoff odds.

Top-Graded Week 5 @PFF Offensive Players

90.4—Caleb Williams, USC
87.9—Jacob Cowing, Arizona
87.8—Jayden de Laura, Arizona
86.1—Bucky Irving, Oregon
84.2—Taylen Green, BSU
84.0—Cam Rising, Utah
83.9—Jake Bobo, UCLA
83.0—DTR, UCLA
82.9—George Holani, BSU
81.4—Carsen Ryan, UCLA

— SuperWest Sports (@SuperWestSports) October 5, 2022

Utah plays with a run-and-defend mindset, and it shows. The Utes rank sixth in Division I in total defense, giving up 244 yards per game. Cornerback Clark Phillips III had three interceptions the last time out, a 42-16 home victory over Oregon State.

#Pac12FB Defensive Player of the Week, presented by @Nextiva: Clark Phillips III 🙌

Full release ➡️ https://t.co/x5HP4Z3Hzf#GoUtes | @Utah_Football pic.twitter.com/jw9YIQz42Y

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) October 3, 2022

Utah begins its most strenuous stretch of the Pac-12 season in this one, with a home game against No. 6 USC and a road game at Washington State next up. The Utes, however, do have five extra days to prepare for Wazzu on Oct. 27.

Utah vs UCLA Prediction

Utah has pushed UCLA all over the field during its five-game win-and-cover streak that began with a 52-45 victory in Pasadena in 2016. The Utes had 360 yards rushing in that one and have had at least 200 yards rushing in the last five, including 290 in a 44-24 home win last season.

The Bruins are playing the best defense they have played under coach Chip Kelly, giving up only 344 yards per game, and they have created 11 turnovers for a plus-5 turnover margin. But that unit has not stopped Utah in the past, and it is not worth bucking that trend here.

The Pick: Utah -4 (-107)

Last Week: 3-2. Season: 18-15 ATS