SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The odds for Utah vs. BYU have now been released by the oddsmakers.

The Utes who are expected to be a preseason Top 25 team to begin the 2019 season open up as a 6-½ point favorite over BYU according to BetOnline.ag.

Utah vs. BYU will be played in Provo on Thursday, August 29th and will be televised nationally on ESPN at 8:15 pm. Radio coverage of the game can be heard here on the legacy home of BYU sports, KSL Newsradio.

These odds mark only the third time since 1995 that BYU is an underdog at home against the Utes. The previous two times were in 2017 and 2003. In 2017, Utah closed as a five-point favorite over the Cougars and in 2003 the Utes were an eight-point favorite over BYU. Both of those games were Utah victories in Provo.

Since 1995, Utah has a record of 9-2 against BYU as a favorite. The two losses for the Utes took place in 1998 and 2000. The Utes have won nine straight against BYU as favorites. Now the Utes are looking to win their ninth consecutive game over the Cougars in the series which is a winning streak that dates back to the 2010 season.

Last season, Utah was a 10-½ point favorite over BYU in Salt Lake City. BYU had a 20-point lead heading into the fourth quarter and the Utes came back to win come away with a 35-27 victory.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday’s from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.