UCLA at Oregon State Line
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Oregon State Beavers are set to host the UCLA Bruins in both teams first conference game of the season. The Beavers are off to a disappointing 0-2 start to the season. They were stunned in overtime by Sacramento State in the opener and then got annihilated by Wisconsin 35-0 the following week. UCLA fell to 1-2 after getting crushed 49-20 at home by Texas. The Bruins have snapped a two game skid against the Beavers with a 17-14 win at home last season.
Taking a look at the week 4 college football odds, oddsmakers currently have Oregon State favored by 4-points over UCLA with the total set at 50 points.
UCLA:
I expected UCLA to be a lot more competitive this season, but they just haven’t looked all that great to start the year. Starting quarterback Kevin Prince was injured in the opener against Houston, but was inserted back in the starting lineup against Texas. He might not be making too many more starts after his dismal showing against the Lonhorns. Prince completed just 3 of 7 passes for 26 yards with three costly interceptions. Richard Brehaut filled in and went 8 of 19 for 150 yards and it will be interesting to see who head coach Rick Neuheisel goes with this week against Oregon State.
UCLA comes into the game this weekend averaging 215 rushing yards a game, but were held to just 141 last week against the Longhorns. Jonathan Franklin leads the team with 267 yards and two touchdowns, while senior Derrick Coleman has rushed for 199 yards and team-best four rushing touchdowns. With the uncertainty at quarterback, UCLA has to be able to run the ball successfully to win on the road.
The defense has not made the progress that I expected this season. They are allowing just under 425 yards of total offense a game, and were torched for 488 yards by Texas last week.
Oregon State:
The Beavers are going to come into this game hungry to put a win on the board in 2011. While the loss at Wisconsin isn’t a big surprise, this team has to be embarrassed by the way they played in their home opener against Sacramento State. They had to score 15 points in the fourth quarter just to force overtime against a team they were favored to beat by four touchdowns.
Head coach Mike Riley has used both Sean Mannion and Ryan Katz at quarterback this season, and so far Mannion has been the better of the two. Mannion was the Beavers only offense against Wisconsin, throwing for 244 yards on 24 of 38 passing. The most surprising stat to start the season is the Beavers have not thrown a single touchdown pass.
Oregon State had no trouble running the ball against Sacramento State, as true freshman Malcolm Agnew carried it 33 times for 223 yards and three touchdowns. However, the run game was no where to be found at Wisconsin. Agnew and the Beavers managed just 23 yards on 24 attempts.
Defensively the Beavers really looked bad in the opener against Sacramento State, and weren’t a whole lot better against Wisconsin. The key this week will be keeping UCLA from running all over them. One positive is they have had two weeks to get things straightened out and prepare for what the Bruins do offensively.
Betting Trends:
UCLA is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Oregon State is 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games following a bye week.
Looking for some expert advice on who to take this week? Steve Janus is ready to dominate your bookie with another winning card this Saturday!
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