UCLA Bruins at California Golden Bears
Saturday, 10/9/10, 3:30 PM EDT
Opening Point Spread: Cal -7
Current Betting Line: Cal -8
Opening Total: 49.5
Current Total: 48
Current Moneyline: Cal -280/UCLA +240
UCLA has won three straight games and now hits the road to Berkeley to square off against California in a Pac-10 Conference game. The Bruins have now won four games in a row since 2005, when they started 8-0 under coach Karl Dorrell. “Since we’ve been here, we’ve never won four in a row,” tailback Johnathan Franklin said. “We’re definitely not satisfied. Last week is over and it’s on to the next one.” The program owns a 49-30-1 record in the series with the Golden Bears, but have dropped the last two contests, including a 45-26 decision a season ago at the Rose Bowl. In last year’s loss, Franklin totaled 101 yards rushing and scored both touchdowns. The team is 16-14 ATS in its last 30 games and the total is 10-19 O/U over that span. It’s also important to note that the Bruins are 15-4 ATS on the road when the total is between 45.5 and 49.
The Bruins coaching staff studied Nevada coach Chris Ault’s pistol offense in the offseason and has used it with great success this season. UCLA will definitely be watching film of Cal’s road loss to Nevada this week, as the Wolf Pack rushed for 316 yards and gained 497 overall in that contest. Offensively, the team’s 437 rushing yards against Washington State last week was its highest since gaining 446 at Oregon in 1979. Starting quarterback Kevin Prince is also expected back under center, missing last week’s game due to a swollen knee. On the defensive side of the ball, the front seven will have to make a decision in continuing its great play of allowing just 158 total rushing yards to Texas and Washington State or return to a unit that surrendered 524 yards on the ground in its first two games.
California resumes action in a Homecoming contest at Memorial Stadium after having a week off. Prior to its bye week, the Golden Bears dropped a pair of road contests at Nevada and Arizona, both currently ranked in the Top 25. This afternoon’s contest will be the first home game in four weeks for the team. Head coach Jeff Tedford has had mixed results in games coming off a bye week, posting an 8-6 record in 14 regular season games. Even though they trail in the all-time series, the squad hasn’t lost to UCLA on its home turf since 1998, rolling off a current streak of five straight home victories. California is 10-3 ATS at home over the last three years and the total is 7-6 O/U in those contests.
The Golden Bears are led by running back Shane Vereen and wide receiver Marvin Jones, respectively leading the conference in rushing and receiving. Despite not scoring in Cal’s most recent game at Arizona, Vereen continues to lead the Pac-10 and is now tied fourth nationally in scoring with an average of 12.0 points per game. Jones has a team-leading 25 receptions and 369 receiving yards and is on pace for 81 grabs on the year. On defense, Cal has shutout its opponent in the first half in three of four games in 2010 and scored 48 points after forcing turnovers this season.
Bettors will notice that the Bruins are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 conference games and the under is 20-5-1 in the same situation. Cal has posted an 8-2 ATS mark as a home favorite of 3.5-10 points.
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