The UCLA Bruins (7-3, 4-3) will travel to meet the Utah Utes (8-2, 5-2) this week in a contest between two good teams. The Pac-12’s third-leading rusher, Devontae Booker (1,261 yards, 11 TDs), and the third-leading passer, Josh Rosen (2,902 yards, 18 TDs), will be featured in this contest. UCLA is hoping to ride its recent wave of success into this game. The Bruins have won three of their last four. The game starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov 21 and will air on FOX.
Utah lost to Arizona 37-30 last week. Harrison Handley had a solid performance in the loss, totaling two catches for 69 yards and one TD. Britain Covey finished with 68 receiving yards on four receptions. UCLA came up short as well, getting beat by Washington State 31-27. Paul Perkins had a great game on the ground for the Bruins, rushing for 121 yards on 20 carries. Jordan Payton also had a big game with 152 receiving yards on 14 receptions.
UCLA is a slender two-point favorite as they take on the Utes.
Heading into Week 12 of the college football season, the Utes are 8-2 Straight Up (SU) and 5-5 Against The Spread (ATS). In the past five games, Utah is 3-2 SU and 2-3 ATS. When the Utes pass the ball, they do so at a high percentage. They complete passes 67.6% of the time they throw, 13th in the nation. Crossing over to the defensive side of the ball, the Utes look to have a distinct advantage in certain spots. The Bruins need to watch out for Utah’s coverage in the passing game. They average the sixth-most interceptions with 1.6 per game. Mistakes and a lack of focus may be factors that benefit the Utes in the game. The Bruins are one of the most penalized teams in the nation with 8.9 flags per game.
Over on the other sideline, the Bruins have 7-3 SU and 5-5 ATS records this season. In the previous five games, UCLA has a record of 3-2 SU and 2-3 ATS as well. Chances are UCLA will continue to rely on its passing attack, where its 299 passing yards per game ranks 20th in the nation. Shifting to the other side of the ball, it might be tough for the Utes to keep up with UCLA’s defense in a few areas. UCLA, only allowing 9.9 yards per pass, has a good chance of shutting down its competitor’s aerial offense. If the Utes aren’t careful throwing the ball against UCLA’s defense, they are going to be in some trouble. That defense has picked off the 24th-most throws on the season with 1.2 per game. The Bruins have a habit of pouring it on before they go into halftime. They average 12.9 points during the second quarter, ranking 11th in Division I. Special teams usually provides a spark for UCLA. They average the 19th-most return yards in the nation with 111.6.
Predictions: SU Winner – UCLA, ATS Winner – Utah
Notes
Utah is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games.
Utah is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Utah’s last 5 games.
Utah is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home.
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Utah’s last 6 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Utah’s last 6 games when playing UCLA.
UCLA is 6-0 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. Utah is 7-0 SU when carrying a lead into the fourth quarter.
Dating back to last season, both teams have identical 10-6 SU records when facing Pac-12 opponents.
The Utah rushing attack is ranked 51st in the country, compared to the 84th-ranked run defense of UCLA.
