Free College Football Picks Today: Utah Utes vs Oregon State Beavers 10/1/22

The Oregon State University Beavers (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12) travel to take on the No. 12 University of Utah Utes (3-1, 1-0 Pac-12), who will be looking to add to their winning streak, at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday. The Utes are 10.5-point favorites, and the total is 54.5.Oregon State is coming off a tight 17-14 loss against No. 7 USC at Reser Stadium last Saturday. Chance Nolan was 17 of 29 for 167 yards and four interceptions. Jam Griffin ran 12 times for 84 yards and a touchdown. Tyjon Lindsey caught five passes for 44 yards.Utah won for the third straight game last Saturday, beating Arizona State 34-13 at Sun Devil Stadium, Frank Kush Field. Cameron Rising threw for 260 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Tavion Thomas carried 11 times for 60 yards. Thomas Yassmin caught one reception for 72 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Beavers won the only game between the teams last season, a 42-34 victory in October. Nolan threw two touchdowns for Oregon State. Rising tossed two touchdowns for Utah, as Thomas added two TDs.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Beavers are averaging 37.8 points per game so far this season, 33rd in FBS, and they are facing a Utes defense that has surrendered 14.0 PPG (13th). Meanwhile, Utah has scored 42.0 points a game this season, 19th in the country, and Oregon State is allowing 23.5 PPG (63rd).The Beavers rank 64th in the country in passing yards per game (250.5) and 50th in rushing (180.8). They will face a tough test through the air, as the Utes are third in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (132.8). Against the run, Utah is 39th (111.3).Utah is 52nd in the country in passing yards per game (263.0) and 23rd in rushing (214.0), while the Beavers are allowing 206.5 passing yards (51st) and 150.8 rushing yards per game (79th).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through four games, Nolan has thrown for seven touchdowns (6 INT) and 228.2 yards per game to lead Oregon State in passing. In one previous away game this season, he had one TD and 219 yards passing. Deshaun Fenwick leads the team in rushing with an average of 58.3 yards a game over four games. He has four touchdowns on the ground. Tre’Shaun Harrison is the Beavers’ leading receiver with 60.2 yards a game and two TDs. Rising has 10 passing touchdowns (2 INT) with 238.5 yards per game through four games to lead Utah. In two home games this season, he has thrown for seven TDs and an average of 239.0 yards. Thomas has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 70.5 yards a game through four games. He has four touchdowns. Dalton Kincaid has been the primary target in the Utes’ passing game. He has four touchdowns and a 60.0 yard per game average through four appearances.