*10* Las Vegas Bowl Total on UNDER BYU/Utah.

The Utah Utes and the BYU Cougars both finished the season with a 9-3 record, and they will meet in the Las Vegas Bowl this Saturday. The Utes are a slight favorite, but I have my eyes on the total, as I expect this game to be a hard fought defensive battle. My money is on the under.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Previous History - The Utes have failed to reach the total in 19 of their last 27 games against teams with a winning record, while the Cougars have gone under in four of their last five neutral site games. These teams have played five times since 2008, and four of those five games saw fewer than 50 points scored.

2. Utes Backfield - Devontae Booker missed the last two games with a leg injury, but backup Joe Williams ran for 187 yards and a TD in a win over Colorado in the final game of the regular season. Expect Utah to continue to run the ball, burning time off the clock with every possession.

3. X-Factor - The Utes are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 versus a team with a winning record, and the Under is 11-5-1 in Utes last 17 games on field turf.

Selection: This is a play on BYU@UTAH to go UNDER the total (10*)