UCLA Bruins (3-3) 3-3 ATS, 1-4 O/U at Arizona Wildcats (4-2) 2-3 ATS, 4-1 O/U Saturday October 24, 2009 Arizona Stadium Tucson, Arizona 6:30 p.m. EST TV: FSW
By Wilson of Predictem.com
Point Spread: UCLA +7.5/Arizona -7.5
Over/Under: 49.5
The Arizona Wildcats look forward to hosting UCLA this weekend after they rallied to beat the Stanford Cardinal last Saturday 43-38. The Cats were down as much as 15 at one point before they buckled down and stole the win at home.
Arizona QB Nick Foles had a huge outing as he was 40 of 51 for 415 yards and 3 touchdowns. Foles wasn’t the only guy chucking the rock Saturday night as Stanford’s Andrew Luck also went over 400 yards in the game. But it was the Wildcats who earned their fourth win on the season thus improving their position to make a move closer to a bowl berth as well as a conference run.
UCLA has taken steps in the wrong direction as they have lost their last three Pac-10 contests. Bruin’s QB Kevin Prince threw for 311 yards on 21 of 41 passing but he also tossed a damaging interception late in the game. The loss puts the Bruins at 3-3 and may squash their chances of having a winning season in coach Neuheisel’s second year.
UCLA kicker Kai Forbath continues to be the Bruins main offensive source as he kicked four more field goals which is becoming a norm for him since the Bruins seem to stall just outside the red zone quite often. Bruin Running back Jonathan Franklin carried the ball 11 times for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns with a long run of 74 yards but it was not enough as the Bruins just can’t put it all together.
UCLA has lost the last two meetings with Arizona, and they have been outscored 65 to 37. The Bruins are averaging 21.2 points per game and allowing 21.8 to the competition. They give up 116 yards on the ground and nearly 200 yards through the air.
The Wildcats come into this contest averaging 30.5 points per effort while giving up 26 ppg to the opposition. Arizona allows just over 100 yards per game on the ground and 225 in the air.
The Bruins are winless in the Pac-10 and losers of 3 in a row while Arizona is 2-1 in conference play and winners of 3 of their last 5 games.
UCLA is 1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS, and 1-1 O/U on the road this season. The Wildcats are 3-0 SU, 1-1 ATS, and 1-1 O/U at home this year. As the favorite, Arizona is 2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS, and 1-2 O/U while the Bruins are 1-3 SU, 1-3 ATS, and 1-3 O/U as the dog.
The line on this game opened at Arizona -9.5 with the total at 48. Currently the Las vegas Hilton has the Wildcats at -7.5 with the total at 50. Most offshore oddsmakers have the Wildcats at -7.5 as well with the total also at 50. The Mirage Sportsbook in Vegas has Arizona at -8.5 and Planet Hollywood has them at -8.
The QB matchup is in favor of Arizona’s Nick Foles who has a completion rate of 73.4 percent to Prince’s 53.8. Foles has 9 TDs and 2 INTs while Prince has 2 TDs and 4 INTs. Foles has thrown for nearly 600 yards more than Prince this season.
I like Foles and the Wildcats to keep putting up points and earning victories. Foles, who is just a sophomore, continues to earn the respect of his teammates as well as opposing defenses. When you have a QB who is having fun while winning games, well, that’s a great place to be if you’re a Wildcat fan.
UCLA may have to adjust to Arizona’s no-huddle offense as it seems to be working well for the Cats.
The favorite in this matchup is 8-3 ATS in in the last 11 meetings.
Wilson’s Pick: Arizona keeps rolling with another win at home. Arizona 35, UCLA 17. Luck to ya.
