Vegas Play of the Day: Oregon at Utah

By Case Keefer (contact)

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 | 1:37 p.m.

We’ve entered the third season of the annual South Point-lined Play of the Day competition, effective July 1.

Starting bankrolls have reset to $10,000, with the maximum bet being to win $1,000 and the minimum wager $300. Ray Brewer won the 2015-2016 season, after Taylor Bern prevailed in 2014-2015. Bern stepped away in the middle of the 2016-2017 season with a 16-12 record and $13,317 bankroll, with Mike Grimala taking his place.

Utah Utes pick’em vs. Oregon Ducks: $440 to win $400

Many didn’t believe Utah could maintain the level it has played over the last couple of years going into the season. Scratch that; many still don’t believe Utah is as good as it was the last couple of years, even though it’s proven it over the last few months.

The Utes shouldn’t be bordering on becoming a home underdog against a team it has played just as well as lately.

Yes, Oregon has won and covered in seven straight. Utah has done the exact same.

The Ducks are being fashioned as a Final Four contender because of the way they’ve shored up their defense. The Utes didn’t need to, because they’ve always played tenacious defense under coach Larry Krystkowiak.

What the Utes do need is a signature win. They’re lacking one, so tonight’s game looms large. It might be the biggest of the regular season to Utah, which should pack the Huntsman Center.

Oregon isn’t under the same urgency, given its 18-2 record and widespread praise. This is a tight matchup, but Utah should win more than 50 percent of the time, so it’s the play.

Current Standings: Keefer ((36-25-2, $12,001), Brewer (22-20-1, $9,585), Grimala (4-4, $9,550), Granger (8-10, $7,100)

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.