21st-ranked Utah begins its much-ballyhooed Morgan Scalley era with zero change in defensive identity, but a 35.5-point demand on the spread by the books. Scalley became head coach after Kyle Whittingham left for the navy pastures in Michigan. The Vandals of Idaho arrive six days after a 38-34 loss at Cal Poly, in which we saw a team capable of both explosive passing and incorrigibly-poor defense. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for today’s college football game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
For easy access to tail my CFB picks swiftly, click here to join the CFB Committee Betting Group on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Utah vs. Idaho prediction, preview
Vandals QB Joshua Wood gun-slung 363 yards, two touchdowns, and no picks on 25 attempts last week. WR Tony Harste caught nine passes for 180 yards, including a run-and-gun 75-yard touchdown. Idaho’s offense also has the boon of four returning linemen who collectively own 83 combined starts. That’s one of the more gelled lines we’re looking at across the entire Week 1 board. I trust Idaho’s ability to protect Wood long enough to take several deep shots. He need only convert a couple.
Still, Utah’s defensive identity, as mentioned earlier, presents a rather stratospheric jump in defensive difficulty for Idaho. Last season’s Utes defense only allowed 18.9ppg and 5.3 yards per play. They also picked off 15 passes. Linebacker Johnathan Hall is your signal-caller in the linebacker level, and he’s expected to be a force after 67 tackles in 2025. Important to note, however, that Utah lost all three of its 2025 All-Big 12 defenders. I don’t think Idaho’ll have any sort of easy time sustaining drives against Utah. I do, however, think the big play remains live.
Utah’s offense is going to score a lot of points all the same. QB Devon Dampier threw for 2,490 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. He added 835 rushing yards and 10 scores. He remains the game’s premier dual-threat. RB Wayshawn Parker averaged 6.6 YPC across 149 total carries. In aggregate, they averaged 41.3ppg and converted over half (52.6%) of their third downs last year. All that, now, against an Idaho defense which just allowed Cal Poly 516 yards, 29 first downs, and nine third-down conversions. The Utes should have zero trouble marching up and down the field, here.
Idaho vs. Utah pick, best bet
If there’s any trepidation I’ve got about Utah’s offense, it boils down to continuity: Utah replaced all five offensive-line starters, and offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven has been installing a whole new system. I can see that rust killing an early drive or two. Idaho’s defense, however, barely generated pressure (one sack) and allowed all those yards last week against Cal Poly. I’m not whatsoever in the market to price that group for meaningful defensive stops once Utah settles into their rhythm.
The spread and 57.5 total imply roughly Utah 46.5, Idaho 11. I land slightly higher on both teams because each offense attacks its opponent’s clearest weakness. Utah should rack the points in droves, while Wood and Harste only need a few deep connections and two scoring drives.
Best bet: Over 57.5 (-110), playable to 58.5.
Projected score: Utah 49, Idaho 14.
Best Bet: Utah vs. Idaho o57.5 total points (-110)
For easy access to tail my CFB picks swiftly, click here to join the CFB Committee Betting Group on DraftKings Sportsbook.
