The Utah Utes are set to face the Stanford Cardinal this Friday. Check out our college football odds series, which includes our Utah-Stanford prediction, odds, and pick.

Utah is in the driver's seat in the Pac-12 South, having defeated all three of its main contenders. The Utes have wins over UCLA, Arizona State, and USC. They would win tiebreakers with all three opponents if a tie occurs in any form in the division at the end of November. They still have to win a few games, but as long as they aren't surpassed in the standings, a tie will send them to the Pac-12 Championship Game in early December, most likely against the Oregon Ducks. The college football odds would back up that point.

Stanford is in real danger of missing a bowl game this season. The Cardinal were in a good place after beating Oregon a month ago, but they have since lost to both Washington State and Washington, two games they expected to win. Coach David Shaw has not been able to get any traction this season. Just when it seems Stanford is on the rise, the Cardinal falter. When they seem to be in trouble, they pull off a surprise. Anyone making a Utah-Stanford pick should realize that.

Here’s how the bookmakers have set the Utah-Stanford odds:

College Football odds: Utah-Stanford Odds

Utah: -8.5 (-110)

Stanford: +8.5 (-110)

Over: 54.5 (-106)

Under: 54.5 (-114)

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Why Utah Could Cover the Spread

The Utes are the much better team. They are going to be in the Pac-12 Championship Game, barring a collapse. Ever since they lost to BYU and San Diego State early in the season, they got their house in order. They started the season with Charlie Brewer, the Baylor transfer, at quarterback. When Brewer played, the offensive line was terrible. When Cam Rising replaced Brewer, the offense improved — partly because Rising made plenty of big plays with his mobility outside the pocket, but also because the offensive line improved by leaps and bounds. Factor that point into a Utah-Stanford prediction.

Utah scored 42 points against USC, 35 against Arizona State, 34 against Oregon State, and 44 against UCLA in its last four games. Utah lost to Oregon State on the road, but the Beavers have one of the Pac-12's best offenses. Stanford just scored 13 in its most recent game, a loss to Washington in which the Trees were missing their three top receivers, who were all injured.

Why Stanford Could Cover the Spread

The Stanford rationale is this: The Cardinal do what is not expected. This team beat Oregon at home and lost to Washington at home. That makes no sense. Stanford blew out USC on the road and lost at Washington State. Go figure. The main thing is that if you are certain Stanford will get crushed here — which is the conventional wisdom — the Cardinal have constantly overturned the logical line of thought all season. Bettor beware! 

Final Utah-Stanford Prediction & Pick

Utah's offense is rolling, and Stanford's offense is cratering. Moreover, Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee is far from 100-percent healthy. He might play, but he doesn't seem to be fully effective. Stanford's receivers aren't healthy, either. Logic says Utah wins comfortably. However, the Pac-12 has been utterly crazy this season, so if you're nervous, you don't have to make a play here if you don't fully trust it.

Final Utah-Stanford Pick: Utah -8.5