TCU vs Utah Prediction & Betting Tips - October 19th | College Football Week 8

The TCU vs Utah matchup is set to take place on Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET. The Utes (4-2) will host the Horned Frogs (3-3) in a Week 8 showdown between two teams looking to bounce back after disappointing recent losses.

TCU had an open week last week, but before that, it lost 30-19 to Houston. The Horned Frogs have struggled to string wins together all season and need to try to get back in the win column this week.

Utah was ranked 16th heading into last week, and as recently as Week 5, it was a top 10-ranked team. However, a 27-19 loss to Arizona State last week and a 23-10 loss to Arizona in their next most recent matchup have resulted in the Utes falling out of the AP Top 25. After a 4-0 start, the Utes are floundering and need to get back on track against TCU.

TCU vs Utah prediction

While both of these teams have struggled lately, analytical models and sportsbooks agree that Utah is favored in this matchup. While the Utes are coming off back-to-back losses to teams in Arizona, they had won four games in a row to start the season.

The biggest issue Utah has faced this season is its offense. It has struggled to put up points, only scoring more than 30 twice. However, the defense has made up for it, even in its losses. Utah has not allowed more than 27 points in a game and has stopped teams from reaching 20 points three times.

TCU has the opposite problem, as it has generally been a strong offensive team throughout the year. The Horned Frogs have put up more than 30 points in every matchup except against Houston. However, the defense has been widely inconsistent.

They had a shutout against LIU, but they also allowed 66 points against No. 21-ranked SMU. TCU even lost a game it put up 34 points in because its defense allowed 35.

The analytical models project that this game will be less close than the sportsbook lines predict. DataSkrive predicts that this game will end with a 33-24 victory for Utah.

TCU vs Utah betting tips

Tip #1: Bet on Utah to win the game (-187).

Tip #2: Bet on the Utes to cover the spread +4.5 points (-109).

Tip #3: Wager over the total of 49.5 points (-109).

TCU vs Utah head-to-head

TCU vs Utah is a matchup that is coming back after a more than decade-long hiatus. The two teams played a lot in the 2000s but have not competed since 2010.

The rivalry started in 1996 and had eight matchups between then and the last one in 2010. Utah has the edge with a 5-3 record, but TCU has won the last two matchups. The most recent game ended with a huge 47-7 win for TCU. The Utes most recently won in 2008 with a 13-10 victory over the Horned Frogs. However, it looks like Utah could get back in the win column on Saturday.