Here's What Bettors Need to Know for Utah vs. Ohio State: The Rose Bowl Game
By Ben Heisler
After opening as 6.5-point favorites for their New Years Day Rose Bowl clash, the Ohio State Buckeyes have seen their odds drop considerably vs. the Utah Utes.
Ohio State will still have Heisman candidate quarterback C.J. Stroud under center, but they'll be without several notable playmakers, including receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave.
Meanwhile, the Utes appear to be healthy and locked in, beating Oregon for the second consecutive time en route to a Pac 12 championship. Furthermore, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham has a 9-5-0 record in bowl games over the history of his career
If there were an expanded CFP, @Utah_Football is the team nobody would want to play. Kyle Whittingham consistently get the most out of his football teams, which is the true measure of any coach.
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) December 4, 2021
Let's take a look at the latest odds for today's Rose Bowl Game over at WynnBET Sportsbook:
Utah vs. Ohio State Updated Spread, Odds and Over/Under for Rose Bowl
Spread:
- Utah: +4 (-110)
- Ohio State: -4 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Utah: +152
- Ohio State: -185
- Total: 63.5 (Over: -110/Under: -110)
Utah vs. Ohio State Betting Trends
- Both teams are a combined 12-12-1 ATS in 2021
- Buckeyes are 1-4 ATS after a loss in their last 5
- Buckeyes haven’t lost a Rose Bowl since 1985
- Utes haven’t won a bowl game since 2017
- Utes is 5-1 ATS vs a team above .500 over their last 6
Utah vs. Ohio State Rose Bowl Prediction and Pick
Our Donnavan Smoot sees value in the Buckeyes number being as low as it is:
In the end, I expect Ohio State’s offense to be too powerful. The Buckeyes average 45 points a game and over 550 yards of offense per game. Although they will be shorthanded, C.J. Stroud is still capable of making plays himself and getting the ball to his playmakers.
While the number looks intriguing, I still am siding with the Utes as the far more motivated team in this matchup; now largely reflected in the sharp move from earlier in the week.
The Utes are treating this game like a championship matchup. It's their first ever appearance in the Rose Bowl, their team is healthy with no opt-outs, and their Athletic Director, Mark Harlan, believes they'll have more than 60,000 Utes fans in the stands as they continue to sell out their growing ticket allotment.
As for Ohio State, the Rose Bowl game means less after expecting to be in contention for the College Football Playoff.
I'm on Utah to win on the moneyline at +152, and got them earlier in the week at +200 and +6.5. Even as the number shrinks, I'm buying the Utes to outlast the Buckeyes this afternoon from Pasadena.
PICK: Utah +4 | +152 moneyline