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One of most contested rivalries in college basketball, BYU will look to extend its 130-128 lead in the series Saturday versus Utah. Both teams have had rough patches this year, but BYU (6-4) is coming off a 15-point win over a Utah State team that had been playing some of the basketball out west.
Utah (4-3) has had similar struggles to BYU, but the Utes have yet to secure that breakthrough win yet.
BYU won last year’s meeting 77-65 in Provo that broke a 3-game losing streak to Utah. BYU has won 12 of the last 16 games over the Utes.
Each of the following projections has BYU as a favorite in the game, but with varying degrees of likelihood.
Vegas Line
Vegas currently has BYU has a 3-point favorite over the Utes with the over/under at 156. BYU has been favorite in every single game this year according to Vegas outside of the season-opener at Nevada.
KenPom
BYU is projected to win 80-77 with a 60% win probability. KenPom has BYU ranked 73 and Utah 116.
ESPN Basketball Power Index (BPI)
BPI is highest on BYU’s chances, at they give BYU a 73.3% chance to beat Utah. BPI has BYU ranked 61 and Utah 158.
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Sagarin
The Sagarin rankings rank BYU the lowest, but they still project BYU to win by two points. Sagarin has BYU ranked 91 and Utah at 121.