#11 Utah Utes vs #6 Ohio State Buckeyes 2022 Rose Bowl

Our Utah vs Ohio State prediction is for the 2022 Rose Bowl Game Presented by Capital One Venture X which will be played on Saturday, January 1. The #11 Utah Utes (10-3) recorded eight Pac-12 wins and one loss. They finished first in the South, winning their last five regular-season games. The Utes met #10 Oregon in the Pac-12 title game, winning 38-10. In the Big Ten East, the #6 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2) went 8-1. That put the Buckeyes in second place, dashing their hopes for a CPS berth. Before losing their final regular-season game to first-place Michigan, OSU ran off nine straight wins.

Rose Bowl Spread and Totals Odds

We have underdog Utah at +4.5 (-105). On the other end, OSU is favored at -4.0 (-105). The total ranges from 63.5 to 65.5. The best over of 63.5 is -105, while the best under of 65.5 can be found at -121. The 2022 Rose Bowl Game Presented by Capital One Venture X will be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 pm ET. You can find the game on ESPN.

Utes vs Buckeyes Pick - Stats

In our Utah vs Ohio State prediction, the Buckeyes are out scoring the Utes 45.5-to-35.5 PPG. In offensive yards, OSU is out gaining Utah 551.1-to-428.6 YPG. The Buckeyes are averaging 364.9 passing YPG and 186.2 rushing YPG. On the other hand, Utah is averaging just 212.5 air YPG. Then again, the Utes are better on rushing yards than the Buckeyes, as they’re averaging 216.1 ground YPG.

On defense, Utah and Ohio State are both allowing just over 20 PPG. However, the Utes are giving up 50 fewer total yards than the Buckeyes (317.6-366.6). Utah is better against the pass, allowing opponents 195.3 YPG while OSU is allowing 246.9. However, the Buckeyes are a tad better versus the rush, permitting 119.7 to Utah’s 122.5. The Utes are better on sacks 41-35 while the Buckeyes have recorded four pick sixes to Utah’s three.

Utah vs Ohio State Prediction - Key Players

Here’s the skinny on this game. So many essential OSU players have opted out, that a player comparison seems senseless. The Buckeyes are missing big-time players on both sides of the ball. On offense, they will be without premium wideouts Garrett Wilson (12 TDs) and Chris Olave (13 TDs) and OT Nicholas Petit-Frere. Defensive tackles Antwuan Jackson and Haskell Garrett, linebacker Cody Simon, cornerback Sevyn Banks and safety Marcus Williamson are all out. All of Utah’s players who have declared for the NFL Draft are expected to play in the game.

For the Utes, tight ends Brant Kuithe and Dalton Kincaid lead the team with six and seven touchdown receptions respectively. WR Britain Covey has caught two passes for scores. Together, the trio has combined for 126 catches. QB Cameron Rising (2,279 YDs, 62.8 COMP%, 18 TDs, 5 INTs, 5 SCKs) is a solid dual threat. He’s averaging 6.5 YPA and has scored five times. RB Tavion Thomas, who’s rushed for 1,041 yards, averaging 5.6 YPA and scoring 20 TDs.

OSU will look to star, freshman running back TreVeyon Henderson to gain yards and score points. This season, Henderson averaged 7.0 YPA rushing for 1,165 yards and 15 scores. QB C.J. Stroud (3,862 YDs, 70.9 COMP%, 38 TDs, 5 INTs, 13 SCKs), a solid talent, will look to connect with WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (80 REC, 1,259 YDs, 15.7 AVG, 6 TDs) and Henderson (4 TDs).

Utah vs Ohio State Prediction

A little commentary here, it’s hard to believe that players are opting out of the Rose Bowl. And then there’s the fact all of those players who have decided not to play are Buckeyes. With that in mind, our Utah vs Ohio State prediction for the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Capital One Venture X is the Utes at +4.5 (-105). We’re anticipating a score of 36-38 in favor of OSU. With that, we’re going with the over at 63.5 (-105).

Sports Betting Smarts is previewing and predicting every one of this season’s 41 college football bowl games. In the first two weeks, we went 22-10 (69%).

2022 Rose Bowl - Utah vs Ohio State Summary

Spread - Utah +4.5 (-105)

Over/Under - Over 63.5 (-105)