Utah Utes vs Oregon State Beavers

Thanks to their defense, the Utah Utes (4-0 SU, 2-1-1 ATS) are one of the nation’s few remaining unbeaten teams entering Week 5 of the college football season. Utah hopes to have star quarterback Cam Rising back from injury when it visits the Oregon State Beavers (3-1, 2-2) Friday night.

Oregon State is coming off a three-point loss last week at Washington State but is 9-1 SU and ATS in its last 10 games at Reser Stadium. However, Utah has won six of the last seven meetings, including a 42-16 rout last year.

Latest Betting Notes: Utah

The Utes remain an UNDER machine without Rising in the lineup, going below the total for four times in as many games this season. The latest low-scoring affair was last week’s 14-7 win over UCLA, when Utah held the Bruins off the scoreboard until less than four minutes remained in regulation.

Utah’s offense wasn’t much better, however, managing just one offensive TD with the other coming on an early pick-six. The Utes punted on all of their second-half possessions and barely averaged two yards per carry on their 48 rushing attempts.

Rising practiced without limits leading up to last week’s game and even participated in warmups before being scratched, so it’s possible he returns this week for the first time since tearing his ACL in January. His return would be huge for a Utes offense that could also be without top running back Ja’Quinden Jackson, who left the UCLA contest with an injury in the first half.

Latest Betting Notes: Oregon State

Oregon State is coming off its first loss in eight games dating back to last season, dropping a 38-35 decision last week at Washington State as three-point road favorites. The Beavers were gouged for more than 400 yards and five touchdowns through the air, and they were down by 17 points in the fourth before scoring two touchdowns to make the final score more respectable.

A return home could help the Beavers get back on track. Oregon State is a sizzling 9-1 SU and ATS in its last 10 games at Reser Stadium, including a win over Oregon and a hard-fought three-point loss to USC.

The Keys to Victory: Utah

No team in the nation is playing better defense than the Utes, who have not allowed more than one offensive touchdown in any of their four games this season. They shouldn’t have much trouble slowing down DJ Ugailalei and Oregon State’s struggling passing attack that was held under 200 yards last week. Still, the Utes will likely need more than just one offensive TD of their own in order to keep their perfect season intact.

The Keys to Victory: Oregon State

Deshaun Fenwick ran for three touchdowns last week as the Beavers averaged more than six yards per carry, but a big deficit forced Oregon State to get away from the running game. The Beavers likely won’t find themselves down multiple scores to the low-scoring Utes, which would allow them to stick with a ground game that has been their offensive bread and butter. Oregon State could also catch a huge break if Rising, Jackson or both aren’t able to suit up due to injuries.