UCLA Bruins vs. Utah Utes Betting Odds, Analysis, College Football Pick

Utah is 2-2 straight-up in its first four meetings with UCLA since joining the Pac-12 four seasons ago, 3-1 against the spread and a field goal from being 4-0. Two teams coming off tough losses but still clinging to hopes of a division title meet when the Utes host the Bruins Saturday afternoon in Salt Lake City.

Point spread: Bruins opened as two-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 37.4-31.4 Bruins

Why the UCLA Bruins can cover the spread

UCLA had won three games in a row, averaging 39 points in the process, but gave up a late touchdown and lost in an upset last week at home to Washington State 31-27. The Bruins took a late lead on quarterback Josh Rosen's 37-yard scoring scramble but left too much time on the clock and allowed the Cougars to drive 75 yards in less than a minute for the deciding score.

On the night, UCLA outgained Wazzu by 130 yards and ran the ball for 214, but two early drives inside the Cougars' 5-yard line bogged down into two short Bruins field goals, and four points decided the game.

Two weeks ago, UCLA looked pretty good in a 41-0 victory over Oregon State, outgaining the Beavers by more than 400 yards. Then again, that was Oregon State. The Bruins are only 4-3 in Pac-12 play, but if they beat Utah this week and USC in the season finale, they win the Pac-12 South.

Why the Utah Utes can cover the spread

Utah started this season 6-0, lost at USC and then won two more in a row before losing last week at Arizona in overtime, 37-30. The Utes trailed early 10-0, and later 20-10, rallied back to take a 27-20 lead in the third quarter but then gave up a touchdown on the first play of the second overtime and couldn't reply in kind.

For the game, Utah outrushed the Wildcats 224-158 and won the time-of-possession battle by almost 15 minutes. Usually numbers like that result in wins and covers.

At 5-2 in conference play, the Utes trail first-place USC by a tiebreaker in the Pac-12 South. But with a win over UCLA and with help from the Bruins next week, Utah would play in the conference championship game.

Smart pick

UCLA owns an edge on offense, but Utah owns the edge on defense, especially against the run. And the team that has won the ground battle has won the last four meetings in this series. Take the Utes here, the home team at the short spread.

Betting trends

UCLA is 1-4 ATS in its last five games against Utah.

The total has gone under in five of Utah's last six games at home.

UCLA is 5-0 ATS in its last five games on the road in November.

All point-spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates, and get the free odds-tracker app.