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Oregon State at UCLA Football Odds & Picks

Written by Steve Janus

Oregon State tries to become bowl-eligible by earning their sixth win of the season, but they will have to do it on the road against conference foe UCLA. Everyone remembers Oregon State knocking off USC, one of the biggest wins in the school’s history, plenty of luck was involved in that victory, but this is a very good football team. UCLA opened up their season with an impressive win over Tennessee (which is looking less and less impressive as the season wears on), but have struggled mightily since that point, earning just a 3-5 record, including a 2-3 mark in the Pac-10. Oregon State is an 8 point favorite to win over UCLA and the total for the game has been set at 53 points.

Oregon State has had success on offense this year by finding a good balance between their air and ground attacks. They’ve put up an average of 165 yards per game on the ground and nearly 260 passing yards per game. This helps keep opponents on their toes and has resulted in the Beavers scoring 33.6 points per game. Oregon State features an impressive running and passing game. The feature the Pac-10’s leading rusher, Jacquizz Rodgers, who has just under 950 yards and who has scored six TDs. The Beavers spread the ball to three different receivers throughout each game, keeping each fresh and hungry to do more with each touch that they get. The trio of Sammie Stroughter, Shane Morales, and James Rodgers has combined for 119 catches, over 1,500 yards, and have scored a combined 15 touchdowns. Something to watch out for is Oregon State QB Lyle Moevao, who hurt his shoulder last week and is listed as day to day.

The Beaver defense has done a good job against some good Pac-10 offenses. So far they are surrendering just 23.9 points per game on 302 total yards. OSU has also been able to make big defensive plays when they are needed. As a unit they have 20 sacks and have forced 14 turnovers. For Oregon State to win on the road this weekend, they will need to be sharp on both sides of the ball, but the Beavers are 8 point favorites in this game.

There’s been a lack of production this season at UCLA. They are barely scoring 20 points per game on the 361 total yards per game they’ve been able to generate. There are problems both the rushing and passing games this season. Their starting QB, Kevin Croft has more interceptions than touchdowns this season (11 INTs to 7 TDs) and is only averaging about 215 passing yards per game. They desperately need someone to step up some where because their rushing offense has been horrible as well, earning just 81.5 yards per game and running for only 2.7 yards per carry as a team.

Unfortunately for the Bruins, things don’t get much better on the defensive side of the ball. UCLA is currently allowing 30 points per gam and over 360 yards per game. They’ve played some difficult opponents, but with their offense there is no way for them to win football games if their defense continues to play this poorly. The Bruins can expect a heavy dose of the run this week, which should be a concern for a team that allows 188 yards per game on the ground. The lack of defense is probably why UCLA is an 8 point underdog at home this week.

UCLA has struggled through their 2008 campaign and the road doesn’t exactly get any easier this week. All three of the Bruins’ wins have come at home, but they are outmatched on both sides of the ball Saturday. Oregon State has a truly balanced offensive attack and a solid defense, not to mention that UCLA has a tendency to help their opponents out by turning the ball over.

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