Got to come with the Utes in this situation. They own the leagues longest Bowl streak and have one of the better defenses. Against similar defense of Arizona, Oregon, USC, and Arizona State Cal did not come up with a lot of points in fact they averaged 13.25ppg. Utah is that type of defense closely resembling USC in terms of overall, but the main difference is the pass defense. Utah ranked #14 in the nation in pass defense and Cal has not faced a pass defense as good as Utah. I think Cal QB Kevin Riley will be in for quite a night. He has been inconsistent and I don't see him being able to do much which mean it will fall on the shoulders of backup RB Vareen. Vareen will get his yards, but I think Utah is slightly under rated against the run because they struggled down the stretch without their DT Kenape Eliapo who was out with eye injuries. He'll be back in this game.
Overall Utah has played better football and despite the game against TCU they have remained close in all three of their losses to top 25 teams. Including Oregon a common opponent where they almost came up with the tie, but fell short 24-31. This was @ Oregon and they were just -15 yards while Cal visited Oregon and were -317 yards and lost 3-42. Another example is what Utah did against BYU losing by three in OT. Why I bring up that is because Cal also faced a team that played last night this season in Oregon State who they lost to 14-31. So If Cal got smashed by Oregon, got beaten by 17 to Oregon State who lost 44-20 to BYU who Utah hung right with shouldn't Utah win tonight? I believe they can and will. Which is why I'll have a bonus on the money line for 1 dime. Utah is 26-12-1 ATS in their last 39 non-conference games and 6-1 ATS in their last 7 bowl games while Cal is 3-13 ATS in their last 16 as favorites 0.5 to 3.
I really think Cal gets beat here it is as if they are throwing in their towels after the disappointing loss to Washington to wrap up the season 42-10. That loss placed them in this bowl instead of the Sun Bowl against Oklahoma. I just do not think they will match Utah's intensity and they have never played well in San Diego as favorites in bowl games losing both out right. MWC is already 2-0 in bowl games where they were dogs this will be a huge statement game for the conference.
