UCLA Bruins (5-1 SU, 5-1 ATS) vs. Oregon Ducks (7-0 SU, 6-1 ATS)
College Football Week 9
Date and Time: Saturday, October 26, 7:00pm
Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
TV: ESPN
by Bob, Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: UCLA +22.5/ORE -22.5
Over/Under Total: 70
The UCLA/Oregon football series continues this Saturday night when the
UCLA Bruins travel north to take on the BCSs No. 3 ranked Oregon Ducks
in a Pac-12 battle that not only has conference championship implications,
but BCS title implications as well. Oregon comes in at 7-0 and has been
destroying people, where as UCLA is 5-1 and is coming off their loss of
the season to the Stanford Cardinal. UCLA leads the all-time series over
Oregon with a head to head record of 39-26. This record is a little distorted
since a majority of the Bruins wins over Oregon took place between the 1950s
and 1970s. In recent history, the Ducks have dominated the series by winning
nine of the last eleven matchups including a 49-31 victory over UCLA in
the 2011 Pac-12 title game. Oregon comes into this game as 22.5 point favorites.
Many think that the lines may be giving the Ducks too much credit, but this
season, they are 6-1 ATSnot too shabby. Keep reading for the breakdown
of this huge matchup.
When Chip Kelly left Oregon for the NFL, many thought that the Ducks would take a step back. Well, the truth of the matter is that Oregon looks even better now than they have in years past. They are flat out killing teams. They are 2nd in the nation in scoring, putting up over 57 points per game, while also ranking 2nd in rushing gaining over 330 a game on the ground. I like Oregon a lot this season. They are playing decent defense, which makes that offense even more dangerous. Allowing only 17 points a game, and scoring over 50 is just plain sick. The key to this win is easy for Oregon: Just be Oregon. UCLA is a good team, but I dont think they have the fire power to hang in with Oregon, as long as the Ducks play a clean game. Turnovers and bad special teams in my opinion is the only way Oregon has a chance to lose this game. If all goes as planned, I see an easy Duck victory and cover.
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Coach Jim Mora of the UCLA Bruins has taken no time making them respectable again. They had jumped into the nations top ten just last week before their loss to Stanford. UCLA came out of the gates this season with five straight wins, including victories over Cal and Nebraska. I for one believe in this UCLA team. They are playing with a lot of confidence and their coach has done a great job having them ready each week. Quarterback, Brett Hundley is leading the charge on offense throwing for right about 300 yards a game. His leadership and maturity has been the story thus far for the Bruins, and coach Jim Mora truly believes that Hundley could go down as the greatest QB in UCLA history. This game will be a tremendous challenge for UCLA simply because of the speed and tempo of the Ducks offensive attack. UCLA is ranked in the top 20 in points allowed this season, but they havent faced an attack like this Oregon team. The game plan is simple: Do not give up the big play. Make Oregon earn everything they get. No busted coverage, no broken tackles. Oregon will score, but if UCLA can keep the Ducks in the 30s-40s, I see the Bruins covering this spread with ease.
Bobs Pick to Cover the Point Spread: 22.5 points is what we are looking at here. UCLA in my opinion is the best team that the Ducks have faced this season, and this game has all the makings of being one of the seasons best. Can UCLA get that signature win that they have needed for over a decade, or will the Oregon Ducks continue to make light work of the rest of the Pac-12? Im just going to look at the numbers. Oregon covers more times than not. They are 6-1 against the spread this season and I seriously dont see UCLA hanging with them for four quarters. I do feel this game will be very exciting early on, but in the end the Ducks will win big and cover. I like a 48-21 type game for the Ducks. PICK: OREGON -22.5
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