Las Vegas Bowl Betting: Utah Utes vs. Colorado State Rams Odds, Analysis & Pick

After a two-year absence, Utah is back in a bowl, where it's had great success over recent seasons, winning 10 of its last 11 postseason bouts and going 8-3 against the spread. The Utes hope to continue their good bowl fortunes when they meet former conference rival Colorado State in the 23rd edition of the Las Vegas Bowl Saturday, December 20, at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Las Vegas Bowl point spread: Utes opened as four-point favorites; the total was 58. (Line updates and matchup report)

Odds Shark computer prediction: 38.3-30.4 Rams

Why the Utes can cover the spread

The Utes went 8-4 both straight up and ATS this season, and they picked up some nice victories along the way. Back in September, they won at Michigan, and while the Wolverines were not exactly contenders this season, winning at the Big House is still a tough task.

Later, Utah won back-to-back Pac-12 road games at UCLA and at Oregon State, beat USC and won at Stanford. And its only conference road loss came in overtime at Arizona State. On the season, the Utes averaged 198 yards per game through the air and 176 on the ground, and they held foes to 158 yards per game rushing.

Why the Rams can cover the spread

The Rams went 10-2 SU and 8-4 ATS this season, making a bowl for the second straight year. CSU started 1-1, with a victory over rival Colorado and a loss to Boise State. Then it won nine games in a row, beating, among others, Boston College and Nevada, going 7-2 ATS during that run.

The Rams then lost their season finale to Air Force 27-24 on a field goal at the buzzer, even though they outgained the Falcons by 100 yards. Colorado State ranks 12th in the country in total offense, averaging 498 yards per game, and while the defense had its problems, it also held seven of 12 opponents to 22 points or less.

Smart pick

This is a tough one, because while Colorado State put up better numbers than Utah this season, the Utes played a much tougher schedule. And the Rams will be playing without head coach Jim McElwain, who left the team to take over the head job at Florida.

So the smart choice in this spot is with Utah, minus the points.

Trends

• Utah is 5-0 SU in its last five games when playing Colorado State
• The total has gone over in four of Colorado State's last five games

Note: All spread and odds data powered by Odds Shark. Follow us on Twitter for injury updates and line move updates.