The UCLA Bruins and Ohio State Buckeyes meet Saturday in college football action at Ohio Stadium. Here’s a Ohio State vs UCLA Prediction. This article will include a Ohio State vs UCLA Pick.
UCLA Bruins Betting Preview
The UCLA Bruins lost to Indiana and Nebraska, and they play Washington next. UCLA has split its last 6 games. Nico Iamaleava is completing 63.7 percent of his passes for 1,659 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. Kwazi Gilmer and Mikey Matthews have combined for 649 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, while Titus Mokiao-Atimalala has 19 receptions.
The UCLA Bruins ground game is averaging 160.2 yards per contest, and Nico Iamaleava leads the way with 474 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, UCLA is allowing 30.7 points and 376.7 yards per game. JonJon Vaughns leads the UCLA Bruins with 88 tackles, Anthony Jones has 1.5 sacks and Scooter Jackson has 2 interceptions.
Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview
The Ohio State Buckeyes beat Penn State and Purdue, and they play Rutgers next. The Ohio State Buckeyes have won 13 straight games. Julian Sayin is completing 80.9 percent of his passes for 2,491 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate have combined for 1,573 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, while Max Klare has 26 receptions.
The Ohio State Buckeyes ground game is averaging 151.1 yards per contest, and Bo Jackson leads the way with 613 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Ohio State is allowing 7.2 points and 211.6 yards per game. Arvell Reese leads the Ohio State Buckeyes with 55 tackles, Caden Curry has 7 sacks and Jermaine Mathews Jr. has 2 interceptions.
Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win
- Ohio State has won each of its last 13 games.
- UCLA has lost each of its last 11 road games against top-15 AP-ranked teams.
- UCLA has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games in November.
- Ohio State has covered the spread in six of its last seven games against conference opponents.
- Ohio State has won the first quarter in eight of its last nine home games against conference opponents.
- Ohio State has won the first half in each of its last seven games against conference opponents.
Why the UCLA Bruins will win
- The road team has won three of Ohio State’s last four games.
- The underdog has covered the spread in seven of UCLA’s last eight games.
- Ohio State has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four November games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Total Points Facts
- Six of Ohio State’s last seven November games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Four of UCLA’s last five November games as a road underdog have gone OVER the total points line.
Ohio State Buckeyes Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 12, Julian Sayin ranks 1st amongst qualified players for passer rating (133.3) this season.
UCLA Bruins Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 12, Anthony Woods ranks T8th amongst qualified players for catch rate (89.5%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Ohio State ranks 1st among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (7.2).
- Ohio State ranks 1st among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (0.7).
- UCLA ranks 5th among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (96.2).
- UCLA ranks T131st among FBS teams for Q1 points per game this season (2.2).
Ohio State vs UCLA Prediction
I considered UCLA and the boatload of points, but even with improvements over the last month or so, they’re still heavily outmatched against better competition. Ohio State is undefeated on the season and 7-1-1 ATS, which is the most profitable team in college football with a cover percentage of 87.5 percent.
The last two times Ohio State was a favorite of 30 or more points, it outscored opponents by a combined score of 115-0. The last five times, Ohio State has outscored opponents by a combined score of 272-20. The line is what it is for a reason. I’ll bite the bullet and lay the points with the Buckeyes.