The Penn State Nittany Lions play the Utah Utes on Monday, January 2 in the Rose Bowl on ESPN. The Nittany Lions come into this game at 10-2 SU and 9-3 ATS with eight games going over the total and four going under, while the Utes are 10-3 SU and 8-5 ATS with seven games going over the total and six going under. This will be the second consecutive year for Utah in the Rose Bowl, as the Utes were outscored by Ohio State in last year’s Rose Bowl. It could be a similar type of game this year, as both Penn State and Utah rank in the Top 20 in points per game. Penn State is not getting much respect, as they won 10 games this season with their only two losses coming to Michigan and Ohio State. Let’s look at Rose Bowl picks.
On Monday, January 2, 2023, the Penn State Nittany Lions play the Utah Utes in the Rose Bowl at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Kickoff time is set for 5 p.m. ET with television coverage on ESPN.
Rose Bowl Odds
Penn State Nittany Lions +2.5
Utah Utes -2.5
Total 52.5
Odds Analysis
The line on this game has held pretty steady with the Utes listed as a 2.5-point favorite. When the line has moved up to three, it hasn’t stayed their long with people grabbing the field goal. Where we have seen some movement is on the total. Some places opened the total as low as 49.5 and it has steadily moved upward. Even those places that opened the game at 51.5 have seen movement as the number now sits at 52.5.
Penn State Nittany Lions
The Nittany Lions are averaging 35.8 points per game which ranks 19th in the country and they are putting up 432.4 yards per contest. They are giving up just 18 points per game which ranks 9th in the country and they are allowing only 318.2 yards per game. Nicholas Singleton leads the team in rushing with 932 yards, Sean Clifford has thrown for 2,543 yards, while Parker Washington leads the team with 611 receiving yards.
Utah Utes
The Utes are averaging 40 points per game which is 8th best in the country and they are putting up 473 yards per contest. They are giving up 20.4 points and allowing 325.3 yards per contest. Tavion Thomas leads the team in rushing with 687 yards but he is out for this game; Cameron Rising has thrown for 2,939 yards, while Dalton Kincaid leads the team with 890 receiving yards.
Game Trends
The Nittany Lions are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Nittany Lions are 5-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. The Nittany Lions are 13-6-1 ATS in their last 20 non-conference games.
The Utes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Utes are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 vs. the Big Ten. The Utes are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 bowl games.
The Over is 4-0 in the Nittany Lions last 4 vs. the Pac-12. The Over is 4-1 in the Nittany Lions last 5 bowl games. The Over is 4-1 in the Utes last 5 non-conference games.
Penn State vs. Utah Free Pick
This has all of the looks of a high scoring game. The Utes have scored plenty of points and when Rising plays well they usually win. The Utes have not won a bowl game since 2017 and it won’t be easy in the Rose Bowl against a very talented Penn State team. The Nittany Lions have a very experienced quarterback in Clifford who is the school’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns. The Nittany Lions also have the edge on the ground with Singleton and Allen. I think Penn State is not getting enough respect and I am not sold that Rising is going to make enough plays against the Nittany Lion defense for Utah to win. I like Penn State plus the points and I will also take the game to go over the total.
BookMaker Pick: Penn State +2.5
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
Check out the latest odds at BookMaker
