The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and the UCLA Bruins meet Saturday in college football action from the Rose Bowl. Coastal Carolina posted a 9-4 season overall last year, but ended up losing in both the conference championship and the Birmingham Bowl. As for UCLA, they went 9-4 as well last season. The Bruins’ campaign ended in disappointment as well with a loss in the Sun Bowl. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Coastal Carolina came out on top of the East Division in the Sun Belt last year (tied with ineligible James Madison at 6-2) by starting out 9-1 on the season. The Chanticleers fell in their final three games to James Madison, Troy (Sun Belt Championship Game) and East Carolina (Birmingham Bowl).
The Chanticleers get a clean slate in 2023 under new head coach Tim Beck. The goal this season will be clock control, so expect a lot of running game and some safe decisions from QB Grayson McCall. He’ll have some excellent receivers to work with, namely Sam Pinckney (71 catches last year), Jared Brown and Tyson Mobley.
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Team Facts
Coastal Carolina has won each of its last 10 games in September.
Coastal Carolina has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games.
Each of Coastal Carolina’s last four games have gone OVER the total points line.
UCLA Bruins
Over on the Bruins’ side, they started out the year on a nice run with eight wins in their first nine games. Things got bumpy after that with three losses in the final four games, culminating in a 37-35 loss to Pittsburgh in the Sun Bowl. UCLA would finish in sixth place among the Pac-12 standings.
Heading into Chip Kelly’s sixth season at the helm, the Bruins will have a handful of significant changes on the field. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson is gone—as are the top three pass-catchers including RB Zach Charbonnet—but there’s a decent amount of talent to help fill in the gaps. Look for J. Michael Sturdivant, Kyle Ford and TE Moliki Matavo to have a big impact in 2023.
UCLA Bruins Team Facts
UCLA has won each of its last six games in September.
UCLA has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight September home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
UCLA has won the first half in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
Five of UCLA’s last six games against non-conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
UCLA ranked 7th among FBS teams for H1 points per game last season (20.5).
UCLA ranked 8th among FBS teams for points per game last season (39.2).
Coastal Carolina ranked T4th among FBS teams for Q1 win percentage last season (.692).
Coastal Carolina ranked 11th among FBS teams for Q1 points per game last season (9.1).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m going to try Coastal Carolina in this one. The Chanticleers offense will need to stay on the field in order to keep in cover range here, though. They lost some significant talent on the offensive line in the offseason (center Willie Lamkin among them), but that unit should be strong again in 2023. Coastal Carolina will need the extra push up front, as their game is going to be on the ground. There should be a few shots down the field here and there as well, so UCLA will have to keep a close watch on the outside while they’re on D. I don’t see anything crazy happening here (like Coastal Carolina winning) but I think they’re good enough to stay in cover range.
