Fresno State Bulldogs vs. UCLA Bruins Odds & Game Pick (2021)
The Chip Kelly experiment in LA might finally be reaching its potential as the new transfer portal rules allowed this staff to bring in its best roster to date and one that looks poised to compete in the PAC-12. On the other side of this matchup, the Fresno State Bulldogs come to town playing with house money and playing their second PAC-12 foe in three weeks.
Let’s take a closer look at where the value remains as kickoff approaches.
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Details
- Opening Line: UCLA -10, O/U 61
- Current Line: UCLA -11.5, O/U 63
- Last meeting: September 15, 2018, Fresno State 38, UCLA 14
Overview
After handling business in their week 0 matchup vs. Hawaii at the Rose Bowl, the Bruins did so again the next week against SEC foe LSU as a 1-point dog. Dominating most aspects of the game, this UCLA offense put up 38 points as their defense, namely their secondary, made life hell for coach Ed Orgeron and company.
Following their 2-0 start, the Bruins come back to Pasadena now following a bye week and look to keep what has got them here going this week; their rushing attack. Through two games, the Bruins are averaging a staggering 227 yards per game, as Brittain Brown and transfer Zach Charbonnet are emerging as the best 1-2 punch in college football at the position.
For the visiting Bulldogs, who also played a week zero game, they’ll take their 2-1 start as their only loss came narrowly to now #4 Oregon on the road. In their other two games, against Uconn and Cal Poly, the Bulldogs outscored their opponents 108-10 to complete their 3-0 ATS sweep to this point in the season.
Led by quarterback Jake Haener, whose 11 total touchdowns have carried the Bulldogs thus far, Fresno faces a different animal this week in a UCLA team feeling themselves for the first time in the Chip Kelly era.
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Trends
- The Bulldogs are 5-0 over their last five vs. PAC-12
- The Under is 4-1 over the Bruin’s last five as a home favorite
Bottom Line
One thing this Bulldogs team doesn’t lack heading into this matchup is confidence, as they led the Ducks in the 4th quarter two weeks ago and had every chance to win that game. They also have something heading into this one the Bruin’s opponents thus far have lacked; a competent run defense, allowing just 91 yards per game through their first three.
I look for the Bulldogs to catch the Bruins early and keep this close heading into the second half.
Pick: Fresno State +10.5
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Johnny Perun is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Johnny, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.