Texas and Oklahoma are off to the SEC, which leaves big, bruising Utah as the class of the expanded Big 12. That much is clear in the spread for the Utes’ first game against a Big 12 opponent, where they’re a 14.5-point home favorite Saturday over visiting Baylor.
Both teams warmed up with big victories over FCS opponents in Week 1. The two-touchdown line is the biggest for Utah over a FBS opponent since the Utes were favored by 30 over Colorado in 2022. The Bears are a double-digit underdog for the fourth straight time against a Big 12 foe dating back to last season.
Baylor vs Utah Odds
Baylor vs Utah Matchup Page, Saturday, 3:30 pm ET
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baylor Bears | +14.5 | +470 | 54.5 |
| Utah Utes | -14.5 | -650 | 54.5 |
Odds as of Sept. 4 at BetMGM
Baylor vs Utah Picks—Week 2
Utah went 8-5 last season in its final season in the Pac-12, dropping four of its last six outright and three straight ATS. But that was without starting quarterback Cam Rising, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, and is back after throwing for 5,500 yards and 46 TDs the previous two years. Tight end Brant Kuithe and running back Micah Bernard are back from injuries as well, giving the Utes some punch they lacked in 2023.
Baylor, meanwhile, has retooled after a 3-9 campaign last year. In comes Jake Spavital as offensive coordinator, in comes former Toledo star Dequan Finn at quarterback, in comes former Texas State wideout Ashytn Hawkins. The problem areas are on the offensive line and on defense, which makes for a bad matchup against a Utah team that just overwhelms opponents with physicality and force.
In the last season with a healthy Rising, 2022, the Utes went 10-4, won the Pac-12 and went to the Rose Bowl. Utah that season also won seven of its last 12 games ATS, covering lines of 22.5 against San Diego State, 10.5 against Oregon State, 18 against Oregon State, 24 against Stanford and 30 against Colorado. Expect more of the same in Salt Lake City on Saturday afternoon.
Baylor vs Utah Week 2 Pick: Utah -14.5 (-108)
Even with many of its key offensive pieces injured last season, Utah still managed to go over the total in five of its last eight. In 2022, the last time Rising and his supporting cast were healthy, the Utes went over in three straight to end the season and five of their last nine. Utah has averaged over 30 points per game with Rising behind center, while Baylor gave up 33.3 last season.
Baylor vs Utah Week 2 Pick: OVER 54.5 (-110)
*picks made as of Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 9:15 am ET
Baylor vs Utah Prop Pick: Dequan Finn Anytime TD, +110
The new Baylor quarterback was a star at Toledo, and he’ll be the focus of the offense for the Bears—as he showed in the opening rout of Tarleton State, where he rushed for one touchdown and passed for two more. He rushed for seven scores last season with the Rockets, and has now found the end zone in three of his last four games dating back to late 2023.
Baylor vs Utah Betting Trends
- Utah is 19-10 ATS as a home favorite over the past five seasons
- Baylor is 8-5-2 ATS as a road underdog under coach Dave Aranda, who took over in 2020
- Baylor has lost five straight outright against FBS opponents, failing to cover in four of those games
