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SALT LAKE CITY — We may still be 83 days away until the 2013 college football season officially kicks off (not that we're counting), but it's never too early to start making your way too early projections on how your team will fare.
The Golden Nugget agrees, releasing 248 betting lines Friday morning for the most marquee matchups in the 2013 season.
How does the Vegas casino think the Utes and the Cougars will do this upcoming year? Below are the lines for seven Utah and eight BYU games.
If you are new to reading odds, the point spread — also called "the line" or "the spread" — is used as a margin to handicap the favorite team. For betting purposes, the oddsmaker predicts that the favored team will win by a certain number of points. This number of points is the point spread. The favorite is always indicated by a minus sign (e.g. -5.5).
Saturday, August 31, 2013BYU (-3.5) at Virginia
Cavaliers have won three straight home openers, but have posted losing records in three of last four seasons. Cougars slightly favored on the road.
Saturday, September 7, 2013Texas (-7.5) at BYU
Cougars went into Austin in 2011 but came up just short. Vegas gives edge to the Longhorns in Provo.
Saturday, September 14, 2013Oregon State at Utah (-6)
Only game included on this list that the Utes are favored in. Pivotal game could decide whether Utes make it to a bowl game in 2013.
#poll
Saturday, September 21, 2013Utah at BYU (-7.5)
Vegas picking the Cougars to win the last game before the rivalry takes a hiatus for two years.
Thursday, October 3, 2013UCLA (-5) at Utah
QB Brett Hundley and the Bruins favored by five in the Thursday night contest on Fox Sports 1.
Saturday, October 12, 2013Stanford (-13) at Utah
Stanford nearly a two TD favorite in the Utes' first meeting with the Cardinal as members of the Pac-12.
Georgia Tech at BYU (-3)
BYU favored by a field goal against the triple option Yellow Jackets.
Saturday, October 19, 2013Utah at Arizona (-12)
Utes once again double digit underdogs against the Wildcats in Tucson.
Friday, October 25, 2013Boise State at BYU (-1)
Broncos won by 1 point last season in Boise, Vegas flips it giving slight edge to the Cougars on their home field.
Saturday, October 26, 2013Utah at USC (-18)
Utah is 0-2 against the Trojans since joining Pac-12... Vegas says they will soon be 0-3.
Saturday, November 9, 2013BYU at Wisconsin (-8)
Gary Andersen gets the nod in his first meeting against BYU as head coach of the Badgers.
Saturday, November 16, 2013Utah at Oregon (-28.5)
It could be worse... Ducks are favored in every game this season, including even larger point spreads against Cal (-34), Colorado (-37) and Washington State (-35½).
Saturday, November 23, 2013BYU at Notre Dame (-11)
Who will be QB for the Irish? Only game Cougars picked to lose by double digits.
Saturday, November 30, 2013BYU (-7.5) at Nevada
Kyle Van Noy's last regular season game as a Cougar gets to be played in his hometown.
