The Utah Utes and the Pittsburgh Panthers will meet on Saturday at Heinz Field. 
Free at last – from the MAC, that is – and much like Marty King, we also have a dream.
However, it’s probably not the same dream the Utes had when they thought they could be a competitive force in the realigned Pac-12.
Utah simply can’t fi nish: in consecutive home losses to conference foes Washington and Arizona State, the Salt Lakers were outscored in the second half by 21-7 and 25-7.
Granted, it may do Kyle Whittingham’s team visitors own a solid 7-2 ATS mark when playing with conference revenge but that stat is largely negated by Oregon’s 5-1 ATS series mark of late.
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The Ducks own more good numbers but the loss of star RB LaMichael James to a dislocated elbow last week cannot be underestimated (James rushed for 239 yards in 30 carries before leaving in the fourth quarter against Cal).
Even if James remains on the sidelines, the presence of ESPN’s College GameDay crew at Autzen Stadium will guarantee an electric atmosphere.
Erickson’s ‘D’ has allowed more than 22 points just once in six games this year so even a lukewarm showing from the offense means ASU has a good chance of hanging within the 2-TD spread.
Don’t expect either team to fold in the late going as both squads staged big second-half comebacks last week to turn potential losses into wins and covers. Devils get the call here.
The Panthers listed as 7-point favorites versus the Utes, while the game's total is sitting at 47.
A few trends to consider:
Utah is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Utah's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Utah's last 7 games on the road
Utah is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games
Pittsburgh is 17-4 SU in its last 21 games at home
Pittsburgh is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
