Houston vs. Utah: College Football Picks (Saturday)
No. 14 Houston visits No. 10 Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, October 24, in a ranked showdown that closes out the Week 8 slate. Kickoff is set for 10:15 p.m. ET on ESPN, with the Utes listed as 6.5-point home favorites and the total at 56.5. Can the Cougars leave Salt Lake City with an upset, or will Utah secure a win and cover? Our Houston vs. Utah picks and predictions break down the betting odds, key matchup factors and best bets.
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Saturday's Best College Football Picks: Houston vs. Utah
Week 7 of the 2026 college football season featured some incredible performances. Auburn kicker Alex McPherson drilled a 34-yard field goal as time expired to upset No. 1 Georgia 27-24. Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop racked up 175 total yards and two touchdowns in a 26-10 victory over Alabama. The focus now shifts to a Week 8 slate packed with intriguing storylines and ranked programs in action. Here’s a look at our favorite college football picks for Saturday’s game Houston vs. Utah.
No. 14 Houston Cougars at No. 10 Utah Utes Picks
Utah boasts a top-10 AP ranking for the first time since 2022. Its latest 27-24 victory over Colorado was fueled by wide receiver Braden Pegan’s 86 yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions. The Utes have yet to be truly tested, though. That will change in Week 8. Houston has bounced back from an early-season loss to Texas Tech with four straight wins. Wide receiver Amare Thomas stole the show with 126 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches in a thrilling 35-32 triumph over Oklahoma State in Week 7.
Talk about two offenses flying under the radar. The Cougars and the Utes are both top-30 programs in passing yards per game, rushing yards per game, and points per game. Houston quarterback Connor Weigman has tallied the second-most passing touchdowns in the nation (20). Utah running back Wayshawn Parker is averaging more than 130 total yards per outing. The Cougars have scored 35 or more points in four of their seven contests, while the Utes have scored 40 or more points in three of their six contests.
Expect the offenses to have the upper hand at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday. After all, Houston ranks 100th out of 138 FBS teams in opponent yards per play (6.0) and opponent red zone scoring percentage (89.5%). Utah gave up 24 points to Kansas in Week 6 and 24 points to Colorado in Week 7. The offensive firepower of those squads does not compare to Houston’s. Overall, the over has cashed in each of the Utes’ last five home games against a foe with a winning record. Bank on that streak reaching six.
Pick: Over 56.5 Points (-115)