Utah Utes defeat Houston Cougars 21-13: Recap, Betting Results & AiQ Picks
Sat, Oct 24, 2026 · NCAAF · Houston Cougars 13, Utah Utes 21
The Utah Utes beat the Houston Cougars 21-13 on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Utah Utes covered the spread as 6.5-point favorites. The game went under the closing total of 57.5, with 34 points combined. AiQ's moneyline pick in this game won.
Houston Cougars vs. Utah Utes final score and game recap
Neither team had scored after the first quarter. The Houston Cougars led 3-0 at halftime. The Utah Utes outscored the Houston Cougars 21-10 in the second half, 14-0 in the fourth quarter alone. They trailed by 6 points after the third quarter and came back to win.
The leading performers, from the box score:
- Conner Weigman (Houston Cougars): 19/35 passing for 282 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions.
- Amare Thomas (Houston Cougars): 5 catches for 133 yards.
- Devon Dampier (Utah Utes): 15 carries for 150 yards, 2 rushing touchdowns.
- Devon Dampier (Utah Utes): 18/26 passing for 204 yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions.
Who covered the spread in Houston Cougars vs. Utah Utes?
The Utah Utes covered the spread as 6.5-point favorites, winning by 8 points.
The spread opened and closed at Utah Utes -6.5.
Did Houston Cougars vs. Utah Utes go over or under the total?
The game went under: 34 points combined against a closing total of 57.5, under by 23.5. 3 of the 34 points came in the first half.
The total opened at 56.5 and closed at 57.5.
How did AiQ's Houston Cougars vs. Utah Utes predictions do?
AiQ's moneyline pick in this game won.
- Moneyline: the Utah Utes to win at -230, a win (+$43.48 on a $100 bet).
Houston Cougars vs. Utah Utes game prop results: first half, team totals and first quarter
AiQ does not pick game props. This is how the sportsbook markets settled.
- First-half moneyline: Houston Cougars won the first half, paying +180.
- First-half spread: Houston Cougars +3.5 covered, paying -105.
- Houston Cougars team total 24.5: the under, paying -111, with 13 scored.
- First-quarter total 13.5: the under, paying -120, with 0 points scored.
- Utah Utes team total 31.5: the under, paying -111, with 21 scored.
- First-quarter moneyline: the first quarter was tied, so bets were refunded.
- First-half total 28.5: the under, paying -110, with 3 points scored.
Houston Cougars vs. Utah Utes odds: sportsbook value and line movement
Shortly before the start, the consensus moneyline had the Houston Cougars at +190 and the Utah Utes at -235. With the bookmaker's margin removed, that made the Utah Utes a 67% favorite. The Utah Utes won as the favorite at -235: $42.55 profit on a $100 bet. On AiQ's moneyline pick, the Utah Utes, the price before the game was -230: +0.7% value.
The total moved up from 56.5 to 57.5, and the game went under.
Houston Cougars and Utah Utes betting trends: 2026 season
This result left the Houston Cougars 6-2 in the 2026 regular season (4-0 at home, 2-2 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 3 of 8 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 5 times and under 3 times.
This result left the Utah Utes 7-0 in the 2026 regular season (5-0 at home, 2-0 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 6 of 7 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 4 times and under 3 times. That made it seven straight wins for the Utah Utes.
What's next for Houston Cougars and Utah Utes?
Next for the Houston Cougars: the Cincinnati Bearcats at home on Friday, November 6, 2026. Next for the Utah Utes: at the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday, October 31, 2026.