Oregon State/UCLA Prediction with Analysis
Official 1 UNIT Play courtesy of Right Angle Sports (www.handicapper.net)
Current Official Play Record: 12-7 (Documented at NSMonitor.com)
Oregon State (+9) at UCLA - 4:00pm Pacific - Game #363-364
The Beavers are physically and mentally as sound as any team in the Pac-10 heading into this week. They are on a two game win streak and thanks to a BYE have only played twice in the last three weeks. The second half comeback vs Washington State three weeks ago is sure to have been the turning point in the season for this team. They made big play after big play in all faucets of the game to pull out that win which has provided them with a huge confidence and momentum boost. They improved even further during their off week and then came out with an impressive win at Cal last week despite settling for three field goals inside of 30 yards. The big news was a new found running game that went for 181 yards against a Cal defense that ranks #1 in the Pac-10. OSU had struggled to run the ball dating all the way back to the start of last season. If they continue to have success it opens up a ton of options for the offense which is already very adept at passing the ball and features one of the top WR's in the history of the conference in Mike Haas. Defensively, the Beavers are showing signs of improvement. They have only given up 30 points in their last 6 quarters after allowing 135 in the previous 10. The young secondary has made the biggest strides having by far their best game of the season vs Cal last week. Senior linebackers Trent Bray and Keith Ellison do not get much press but have possible NFL futures.
UCLA has been playing Houdini the last three weeks as they continue to pull wins out of a hat. They have come back from 4th quarter deficits of 10 vs Washington, 12 vs Cal, and 17 vs Washington State. UCLA has been outgained by an average of 60 yards per game in Pac-10 play despite facing three teams with a combined record of 2-8 in conference. The defense has surrendered 481.6 yards per game the last three weeks and this week will be without starting linebacker Justin London at 100% due to a reoccurring ankle injury. London currently ranks 3rd on the team in tackles and may play but is not expected to start. UCLA's offense has been efficient, but they did lose starting OL Chris Joseph to injury for the season in last week's win. They are also still without starting WR Junior Taylor and must rely on RB Drew and TE Lewis for their big plays. The offense has been able to overcome the defense in recent weeks with help from special teams but they have to again play well this week just to have a chance to win outright.
Oregon schools are always fired up to play the Southern California teams as many players are from the area and were not recruited by UCLA or USC. Oregon State currently has 27 players on the roster from the Southern California area. This matchup carries added significance as Oregon State QB Matt Moore transferred from UCLA to Oregon State after UCLA coach Karl Dorrell named Drew Olson the starting QB in 2003. Moore is having a fine season for the Beavers and surely has had this game circled for a long time. UCLA has been finding ways to escape with wins, but none of the Pac-10 teams they have beaten even has a winning record in conference. Oregon State at 2-1 does. UCLA has no business giving -9 points in this spot. Take the points.
Official Play: Oregon State +9 1 UNIT
We have another official play for Saturday with full analysis. Simply visit www.handicapper.net and join the free e-mail list!
Good luck! :crazy: :clapping: :cross:
Official 1 UNIT Play courtesy of Right Angle Sports (www.handicapper.net)
Current Official Play Record: 12-7 (Documented at NSMonitor.com)
Oregon State (+9) at UCLA - 4:00pm Pacific - Game #363-364
The Beavers are physically and mentally as sound as any team in the Pac-10 heading into this week. They are on a two game win streak and thanks to a BYE have only played twice in the last three weeks. The second half comeback vs Washington State three weeks ago is sure to have been the turning point in the season for this team. They made big play after big play in all faucets of the game to pull out that win which has provided them with a huge confidence and momentum boost. They improved even further during their off week and then came out with an impressive win at Cal last week despite settling for three field goals inside of 30 yards. The big news was a new found running game that went for 181 yards against a Cal defense that ranks #1 in the Pac-10. OSU had struggled to run the ball dating all the way back to the start of last season. If they continue to have success it opens up a ton of options for the offense which is already very adept at passing the ball and features one of the top WR's in the history of the conference in Mike Haas. Defensively, the Beavers are showing signs of improvement. They have only given up 30 points in their last 6 quarters after allowing 135 in the previous 10. The young secondary has made the biggest strides having by far their best game of the season vs Cal last week. Senior linebackers Trent Bray and Keith Ellison do not get much press but have possible NFL futures.
UCLA has been playing Houdini the last three weeks as they continue to pull wins out of a hat. They have come back from 4th quarter deficits of 10 vs Washington, 12 vs Cal, and 17 vs Washington State. UCLA has been outgained by an average of 60 yards per game in Pac-10 play despite facing three teams with a combined record of 2-8 in conference. The defense has surrendered 481.6 yards per game the last three weeks and this week will be without starting linebacker Justin London at 100% due to a reoccurring ankle injury. London currently ranks 3rd on the team in tackles and may play but is not expected to start. UCLA's offense has been efficient, but they did lose starting OL Chris Joseph to injury for the season in last week's win. They are also still without starting WR Junior Taylor and must rely on RB Drew and TE Lewis for their big plays. The offense has been able to overcome the defense in recent weeks with help from special teams but they have to again play well this week just to have a chance to win outright.
Oregon schools are always fired up to play the Southern California teams as many players are from the area and were not recruited by UCLA or USC. Oregon State currently has 27 players on the roster from the Southern California area. This matchup carries added significance as Oregon State QB Matt Moore transferred from UCLA to Oregon State after UCLA coach Karl Dorrell named Drew Olson the starting QB in 2003. Moore is having a fine season for the Beavers and surely has had this game circled for a long time. UCLA has been finding ways to escape with wins, but none of the Pac-10 teams they have beaten even has a winning record in conference. Oregon State at 2-1 does. UCLA has no business giving -9 points in this spot. Take the points.
Official Play: Oregon State +9 1 UNIT
We have another official play for Saturday with full analysis. Simply visit www.handicapper.net and join the free e-mail list!
Good luck! :crazy: :clapping: :cross:
