It’s a Big 12 battle between undefeated ranked teams when No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders travel to Salt Lake City for a matchup with No. 16 Utah Utes.
With both teams taking a step up in competition, my Texas Tech vs. Utah predictions expect a tight and low-scoring game at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Read on for my early college football picks for Saturday, September 20.
Texas Tech vs Utah predictions
Here are our early thoughts on the spread and total for this week’s game. We will have a full game preview (with a best bet and SGP) later in the week.
Early Texas Tech vs Utah spread pick: Texas Tech +3.5
The Texas Tech Red Raiders catching +3.5 points feels like value in a game where both teams finally face real competition.
Even with a sore knee, Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton has been outstanding early, completing over 70% of his passes with 11 touchdowns to one interception.
Morton’s efficiency and deep-ball accuracy give Texas Tech an edge that the Utah Utes' vaunted defense hasn’t seen yet.
The Utes are physical on both sides of the ball, but their Top-5 defensive metrics have come against weak opponents, and they’ll now face a vertical passing game that can and will test their coverage.
Utah may grind offensively behind dual-threat QB Devon Dampier, but this Utes defense laying more than a field goal against a live Red Raiders offense feels like a bad beat waiting to happen.
Early Texas Tech vs Utah total pick: Under 56.5
With the total steamed up to as high as 56.5, the value shifts to the Under.
Both teams may have inflated offensive numbers after feasting on soft competition, but Saturday’s early kickoff (10 a.m. local time in Salt Lake City), combined with these defenses, lends toward a lower-scoring affair.
The Utes are notorious for grinding the clock, and I expect to see Dampier and Utah battle Texas Tech with their legs, attempting to keep the ball out of Morton’s hands.
Morton has been sharp, but the Utes’ disciplined defense will be the best he’s faced this year. Utah won’t roll over for this potent Red Raiders offense, and I expect more stops than points allowed from this Utah defense.
Expect sustained, clock-winding drives, red-zone battles, and fewer explosive plays from both groups.
Texas Tech vs Utah odds
- Texas Tech vs. Utah spread: Utah -3.5
- Texas Tech vs. Utah moneyline: Texas Tech +146, Utah -178
- Texas Tech vs. Utah Over/Under: 56.5
How to watch Texas Tech vs Utah
- Texas Tech vs. Utah matchup
- Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025, 12:00 p.m. ET
- City: Salt Lake City, UT
- Venue: Rice-Eccles Stadium
- TV: FOX
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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