UCLA Kansas State Betting – Bruins Complete Home-And-Home Sweep Of Wildcats
Sports betting players always have their eye on interesting non-conference battles, and while their records last year weren’t great, UCLA and Kansas State will be a good game. The Wildcats have revenge on their minds after losing at UCLA last year, but they don’t have the offense to avenge the beating in Los Angeles.
- What: NCAA football betting
- When:Saturday, September 4th, 3:30 PM ET
- Where: Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium, Manhattan, KS
- Pick: UCLA +3
What’s On The Line
It was a streak season for the Bruins in the Pac-10, where they finished 6-6, but they ended the season with four wins in their last five games, including a 30-21 win over Temple in the EagleBank Bowl. The Wildcats finished 6-6 in the Big 12, and they haven’t been to a bowl game since 2006. The Bruins are trying to take advantage of USC’s disciplinary problems, and a non-conference win would get them off to a great start. The Wildcats are just trying to stay afloat in the Big 12, and they’d love to avenge a 23-9 loss in Los Angeles last year.
Offensive Matchups: UCLA Kansas State Betting
UCLA’s offense finished 88th in the country last year, but the running game should be improved as Johnathan Franklin was learning the ropes as a freshman. Franklin will also take some of the pressure off of pivot Kevin Prince, who was also a frosh in 2009, but he has his top two receivers, Nelson Rosario and Taylor Embree, back in the fold. Up front though, the Bruins have to replace left tackle Xavier Su’a-Filo, who left for a church mission. That means they have to find someone to watch Prince’s blindside.
The Wildcats were a one-man show last year with Daniel Thomas running out of the backfield. It figures to be much of the same in 2010 for Thomas, who led the Big 12 in rushing and has four starters back up front. But at quarterback, it’s another story. Kansas State still hasn’t figured if Collin Klein or Carson Coffman will be the starting pivot, and they don’t have a whole lot at wide receiver. Look for a lot of Thomas this season.
Betting Edge: UCLA
Defensive Matchups: UCLA Kansas State Betting
The Bruins were an excellent defensive team last year, coming in 32nd in the country, and safety Rahim Moore marshaled the group, leading the nation in picks with 10. Linebacker Akeem Ayers is a beast and always seems to be in the opposition backfield. Lineman Brian Price left to go to the NFL, but the Bruins should be able to cover for him. UCLA is also green at the cornerback position, but with Moore playing center field, they should be fine.
The only reason that Kansas State wasn’t a complete NCAA football betting write-off is because of a defense that finished 39th in the country. However, they were 83rd in pass defense, which is never a good thing in the pass-happy Big 12, but safeties Emmanuel Lamur and Tysyn Hartman are back. The thing is, the front seven is lacking depth, and unless end Brandon Harold can find the form that made him a freshman All-American, the Wildcats could be in trouble again.
Betting Edge: UCLA
Notable Injuries: UCLA Kansas State Betting
UCLA is healthy, and they’ll need all hands on deck for the first part of the season as they also face Houston and Texas before the calendar switches to October.
End Adam Davis (back) is out for the season, while Thomas (shoulder) and Hartman (knee) were ailing throughout the summer.
Betting Edge: UCLA
Outlook and Pick: UCLA Kansas State Betting
NCAA football betting odds have the Wildcats as a 3-point favorite, but a revenge win isn’t likely for the Big 12 team. They have a lot of questions at quarterback, which means UCLA will be able to gang up on Thomas and the run. The Bruins have more experience on offense than last year, which means they’ll be better away from home. Take UCLA in your online betting picks.
Blake’s Pick: UCLA +3
