Arizona Football

Pac-12 Picks: Four home teams favored, which is dangerous

[tps_title]California at Utah[/tps_title]

[tps_header]7 p.m., ESPN[/tps_header]

NO. 23 CALIFORNIA (5-0, 2-0) AT
NO. 5 UTAH (4-0, 1-0)

7 p.m., ESPN

Pointspread: Utah favored by 7.5

— The 23rd-ranked Golden Bears are off to their best start since 2007 and are heading into their biggest game in coach Sonny Dykes’ three-year tenure.

— Utah is ranked No. 5 for just the third time in program history, with this being the earliest in the season. The Utes have shot up the polls since routing then-No. 13 Oregon two weeks ago.

— Running back Devaontae Booker has rushed for 443 yards with four TDs.

— Utah’s players are aware of the danger of all the hype surrounding the team with ESPN’s College GameDay in town. A players-only meeting took place this week to discuss the matter.

— The Golden Bears are led by record-setting quarterback Jared Goff and have the chance for their first 6-0 start since 1950. Goff is the seventh-highest rated passer in the FBS (170.5), having already posted four 300-yard games while totaling 15 touchdowns and four interceptions. He leads a Cal offense which is averaging 43.4 points to rank second in the Pac-12 behind USC. Utah’s defense has yet to give up more than 24 points while forcing 11 turnovers, second in the conference behind Cal (18).

— Cal squandered a 4-1 start last year by losing six of its final seven games. Players cited complacency.

BETTING TRENDS
California is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
California is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
California is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
California is 7-16 SU in its last 23 games on the road
Utah is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Utah’s last 15 games
Utah is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home

My pick: Utah will win and cover

Steve Rivera’s pick: Utah will win and cover

Anthony Gimino’s pick: Utah will win but Cal will cover

[tps_footer]

ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He has also written articles for Bleacher Report and Lindy’s College Sports.
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