The Arizona State Sun Devils and the UCLA Bruins meet Saturday in college football action from the Rose Bowl. Arizona State comes into this one following a weekend matchup with Utah. In that one the Sun Devils dropped to 2-7 overall with a blowout defeat. As for UCLA, they’re fresh off a Saturday evening game against Arizona. The 6-3 Bruins would go on to fall by 17 points in a disappointing effort. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Arizona State Sun Devils 

The Sun Devils managed to win just two of their first eight games this year, beating Southern Utah 24-21 and Washington State 38-27. Arizona State had some issues scoring in that time with just 19.6 points per game and six passing touchdowns versus nine interceptions. The Sun Devils fared better on the ground (13 TDs) but averaged just 3.5 yards per carry. 

In the Utah matchup over the weekend, Arizona State gave up double-digit points in every quarter during a 55-3 blowout loss. Jacob Conover finished with just 41 passing yards and a pick. Cameron Skattebo added 31 rush yards on 12 carries, and Giovanni Sanders caught one 20-yard pass to top the receiving effort. 

Arizona State Sun Devils Team Facts

• Arizona State has lost each of its last 10 November games as a road underdog.
• Arizona State has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six November road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Arizona State has won the first half in four of its last five games against conference opponents at Rose Bowl.
• Five of Arizona State’s last six games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

UCLA Bruins 

Over on the Bruins’ side, they lost to only Utah (14-7) and Oregon State (36-24) in their first eight outings this year. UCLA had a strong offensive presence in that stretch, averaging 30.9 points per game with 33 total scores. The running game (5.0 yards per carry; 18 scores) carried the team well, but the passing attack (15 TDs; 12 interceptions) was a liability at times. 

The Bruins played Arizona back on Saturday. In that one UCLA faced a 17-10 deficit after three quarters. UCLA didn’t score again in a 27-10 defeat. Ethan Garbers finished with 143 yards and a TD, while Collin Schlee managed 46 yards off six carries. Logan Loya caught three balls for 42 yards to lead the receivers. 

UCLA Bruins Team Facts

• UCLA has won nine of its last 10 games against non-AP-ranked teams at Rose Bowl.
• UCLA has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games in November.
• UCLA has won the first half in six of its last eight home games against conference opponents.
• Each of UCLA’s last four games as a favorite have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• UCLA rank T13th among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (16.3).
• UCLA are one of only 27 FBS teams undefeated in home games this season ([z-0]).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m staying with UCLA. The Bruins are coming off a pretty disappointing effort on both sides against Arizona, but should have free rein here. UCLA posted just 271 total yards (157 passing) with 17 first downs on Saturday while the defense surrendered 429 yards (300 passing) and 23 first downs with 11-of-16 on third-down tries. It was a pretty out-of-character effort from a Bruins team that had scored 24 or more points in four straight games prior. 

As for Arizona State, there was no realistic way they were going to get close to Utah in their last game—and they didn’t. The Sun Devils posted just 83 yards of offense (40 passing) with seven first downs. Things aren’t going to get much easier against an angry UCLA team this weekend.