Let’s see which team takes the win on this Sun Devils at Bruins betting preview.
The Pac-12 Conference will have two of its best teams facing off on Saturday night when the UCLA Bruins host the Arizona State Sun Devils. Both teams come into this game with a 3-1 record on the year, and each team is looking to get to the top of the Pac-12 Conference.
Arizona State recently fell out of the Top 25 after suffering a ten-point loss to the Colorado Buffaloes. The Sun Devils responded by blowing out the Colorado Buffaloes, and a win in this game should get them back into the rankings.
UCLA was stunned by Fresno State two weeks ago, and that loss could hurt when it comes time for bowl placement. The Bruins did respond with a Week 4 win over Stanford, and they come into this game with some momentum.
UCLA is a 3.5-point favorite over Arizona State on Saturday night.
Arizona State Has Balanced Attack
Arizona State is averaging 227 passing yards and 210 rushing yards per game this season, and that has allowed them to keep defenses off balance. The Sun Devils do need to find a way to hit on more deep passes, but the running game has been wearing down their opponents.
Running back Rachaad White has been giving opponents fits all season long, leading the Sun Devils with 256 rushing yards. Arizona State has been committing to the run, but they will need a great game from quarterback Jayden Daniels in this one.
Daniels has thrown just two touchdowns this season, and he has to find a way to challenge the secondary of UCLA. The Bruins can stop the run, and that will force Daniels to step up and make some big-time plays.
The Arizona State defense has allowed just 16 points per game, but they have played some poor offensive teams in all three of the wins. That unit will get tested on Saturday night, and it will be determined just how strong that group really is.
Bruins Shutting Down the Run
UCLA is holding opponents to just 64 rushing yards per game, and that is a big reason that they are 3-1 and in the Top 25. This has forced their opponents to turn into passing teams and has allowed the defensive line to come after opposing quarterbacks.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a star for UCLA as he has thrown for 919 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Thompson-Robinson is dealing with a sore arm, but there is the belief that he will be close to 100 percent for this matchup.
The Bruins don’t run the football as well as the Sun Devils do, but they are still racking up 193 rushing yards per game. If UCLA is able to get an early lead, then they will look to lean on Zach Charbonnet and that rushing game to shut the door.
UCLA Bruins Beat Arizona State
Both Arizona State and UCLA have looked really good at times this season, but there have also been some times when each team has struggled. This game should turn into a defensive battle, which would seemingly benefit the Sun Devils.
UCLA might not be as good of a defensive team as Arizona State, but the Bruins are much better at stopping the run. The Sun Devils are going to be forced to pass too much in this game, and that will allow UCLA to take control.
This game should be decided by a touchdown, but the home team will be the team that picks up the late score. Bet the UCLA Bruins -3.5 over the Arizona State Sun Devils in this Pac-12 Conference showdown on Saturday night.
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