Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs. Utah Utes 8/29/24 – On Thursday, when the college football season kicks off with an interesting game, the Southern Utah Thunderbirds will play against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. In anticipation of this game between the Thunderbirds (6-5 last season) and the Utes (8-5), many fans and gamblers are excited that it will be a good curtain raiser. As we get into our college football latest free pick for let’s take time to analyze some of the game details and player matchups plus betting angles.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs. Utah Utes 8/29/24
| When: | Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Rice-Eccles Stadium |
| TV: | ESP+ |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderbirds | +38 (-110) | 53 over (-110) | TBD |  |
| Utes | -38 (-110) | 53 under (-110) | TBD | |
| ||||
Kickoff is just a couple of days away!
Make sure to catch the Thunderbird Coaches Show tonight!
🖥️: https://t.co/AfhV0AwxkS
📻: https://t.co/ajPzdfxvjw
ᯤ: https://t.co/C5qaaDq3qZ
🍎: https://t.co/xsmYxGEt0v #Elevate ⚡️ #TBirdNation ⚡️ #RaiseTheHammer pic.twitter.com/P2ix0KVDHC— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) August 27, 2024
The betting lines underscore the anticipated disparity between the teams, with Utah favored massively by a 38-point spread. This reflects the historic performance and home advantage that the Utes enjoy. The total over/under at 53 points suggests expectations of a relatively high-scoring affair, possibly dominated by Utah.
Justin Miller QB vs. Luke Bottari QB
In the last season, Justin Miller, a quarterback for the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, recorded tough statistics with 2,527 passing yards and a completion percentage of 59.7%. For example, his ability to throw long balls, with his longest pass being 66 yards and scoring touchdowns up to 28 times, represents what kind of player he is on the field. Nevertheless, with nine interceptions and a total number of nine sacks it shows that opponents can take advantage of that
On the other hand, Luke Bottari hailing from the Utah Utes, made only 11 passes in the last season; however, during this limited playtime, he demonstrated efficiency by completing 63.6% of his throws. However, Bottari will have to improve significantly on his current performance this time to execute his role correctly. Furthermore, despite limited exposure resulting in no interceptions or sack charges against him at all doesn’t mean that he cannot handle pressure.
Because of Miller’s experience and well-known history of making points under stress compared to Bottari’s potential but unproven endurance within many game situations, these two quarterbacks pose extreme comparison. Still, Miller seems more likely to win this tooth-and-nail contest due to his offensive abilities in terms of throwing. At the same time, Bottari might also bring surprise elements into their attacks because he is a young blood with an arm full of energy.
Thundering on the Ground and Through the Air
Braedon Wissler, the leading rusher for Southern Utah, recorded 684 yards on 145 carries last season. His ability to break out for long runs, highlighted by a 60-yard dash, alongside Timothy Patrick, who snagged 339 receiving yards with four touchdowns, forms a dual threat. This combination needs to fire on all cylinders for the Thunderbirds to penetrate Utah’s robust home defense.
Utah’s Response on the Ground and Through the Air
Utah counters with Jaylon Glover, who rushed for 562 yards, and Money Parks, a receiver who tallied 293 yards last season. While their stats don’t dazzle, their steady contributions will be vital for Utah to control the game pace and keep the Thunderbirds’ defense honest.
Trends
Southern Utah Thunderbirds Betting Trends
Southern Utah are 3-6 ATS in their last 9 games.
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Southern Utah’s last 9 games.
Southern Utah are 0-10 SU in their last 10 games.
Thunderbirds are 0-15 SU in their last 15 games on the road.
Southern Utah are 0-9 SU in their last 9 games against an opponent in the Pac-12 conference.
Utah Utes Betting Trends
Utah are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games.
Utes are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games.
Utah are 19-1 SU in their last 20 games at home.
Utah are 13-3 SU in their last 16 games against an opponent in the Western Athletic conference.
Utes are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games played in August.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs. Utah Utes Betting Prediction
With a big spread and different directions of odds, point total and Utah’s moneyline seem to be the safest betting options, although the former may not be available at excellent prices. With Southern Utah’s defensive struggles and Utah’s impressive home performance, this implies that the Utes can cover the spread in a high-scoring game. Nevertheless, total points might also be considered, given these factors.
The choice of Utah covering seems logical though there is a big margin that needs carefulness. Prop bets on quarterbacks’ performance may offer some value, particularly if the betting markets adjust to any pre-game developments. Remember that early-season games sometimes produce weird results as we mix insights for this premier online casino.
Score Prediction: Utah 48, Southern Utah 9.
Hilbert Mayer
Sports Writer
Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.
Published on: August 26, 2024
Last updated: March 26, 2025