UCLA vs Arizona Prediction
The UCLA Bruins will travel to Tucson to take on the Arizona Wildcats in Pac-12 play this weekend from Arizona Stadium on FS1. Arizona and UCLA have faced off in nearly every season since 1980, and the Bruins lead the all-time series lead, 27-18-2, but the Wildcats did win last year’s meeting in Pasadena, 34-28.
UCLA Bruins Preview
UCLA moved to 6-2 after defeating Colorado at home, 26-18. The Bruins took control in the second half to down the Buffaloes, and they’ll look to win a third straight game here in the desert. The UCLA offense is scoring 31.3 ppg, while passing for 248.9 ypg, rushing for 215.1 ypg, and converting 42.1% of their third downs.
UCLA Player Notes
• Ethan Garbers played well in his first start of the season against Colorado, going 20/27 for 269 yards, with two scores and a pick. The junior quarterback has performed well in the last two weeks, and he’ll have to bring that same energy to Tucson this Saturday night. Garbers has passed for 643 • yards, with five touchdowns to three interceptions thru four games.
• Junior back Carson Steele gained 75 yards in the win over Colorado, and he leads the Bruins in rushing with 674 yards on 124 touches.
• Senior wideout Logan Loya surpassed the 100-yard mark for the first time last weekend, and he leads UCLA in receptions (37) and receiving yards (421).
• The UCLA defense has allowed 15.0 points per game.
Arizona Wildcats Preview
Arizona moved to 5-3 after defeating Oregon State at home by three, 27-24. The Wildcats came through in the final period to pin their second straight ranked win, and they’ll look to add to that tally here against the Bruins. The Arizona offense is scoring 31.9 ppg, while passing for 287.6 ypg, rushing for 164.7 ypg, and converting 44.8% of their third downs.
Arizona Player Notes
• Noah Fifita concluded his strong month of play by going 25/32 for 275 yards and three scores against Oregon State. The freshman quarterback’s play has altered the outlook of the Pac-12 out of nowhere, and he’ll look to carry that momentum into November. Fifita has passed for 1,221 yards, with 11 touchdowns to five interceptions through four starts.
• Sophomore back Jonah Coleman totaled 57 yards in the win over OSU, and he leads the Wildcats in rushing yards (488).
• Veteran wideout Jacob Cowing has caught eight passes or more in five of the last six games, and he leads Arizona in receptions (60) for 452 yards.
• Sophomore receiver Tetairoa McMillan caught eight passes and scored versus the Beavers, and he leads the team with 672 receiving yards with 48 catches.
• The Arizona defense is allowing 20.5 points per game.
UCLA vs Arizona Trends
• UCLA is 4-4 against the spread, with a 2-6 O/U record.
• ARZ is 7-1 ATS, with a 1-7 over/under record.
Corey’s Free Pick
Arizona was arguably the best team in the strongest conference in college football last month, and there’s a reason this line has moved so close. The Wildcats have made clear improvements on the fly, and they’re real threats to hand UCLA their second loss after defeating Washington State and Oregon State. Arizona also nearly defeated Washington and USC, so they’re battle-tested enough to pull this one off at home. With Dante Moore still out at QB for the Bruins, let’s test Chip Kelly’s group on the road and spot Arizona the points for this Pac-12 clash.
