Houston Cougars at UCLA Bruins, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Saturday, September 18, 2010, 10:30 pm EST, TV: Fox Sports Net
Opening Line: Houston -1
Current Line: Houston -3.5
Opening Total: 60
Current Total: 65
Money Line: Houston -170 / UCLA +150
Odds taken from Bookmaker Sportsbook & Casino
Kevin Sumlin leads his Houston Cougars into Pasadena to take on Rick Neuheisel’s UCLA Bruins. The big story in this game is Cougar quarterback Case Keenum is listed as doubtful or a gametime decision depending on various reports with post concussion syndrome. It speaks volumes that despite possibly being without one of the best quarterbacks in the country and being on the road that Houston is actually more of a favorite now than the opening line. UCLA is 0-2 and if not for Washington St would probably be the worst team in the Pac-10. They have been awful against the run giving up an average of 268 yards a game lin two contests so far. Houston discovered it had a running game gashing UTEP for 303 yards led by Bryce Beall who had 19 carries for 195 yards and 3 touchdowns. Michael Hayes added 77 yards and 3 more touchdowns in the 54-24 victory.
Case Keenum broke his streak of throwing a touchdown pass in 31 straight games. He threw for 279 yards and an interception before leaving late in the third with the injury. Cotton Turner replaced Keenum and will start against UCLA if Keenum can’t go. Turner was 9 for 10 with 69 yards and a late touchdown pass that put the game over the total. With the Bruins awful run defense Turner might not have to do much, but he is capable of throwing the ball well if he has to. The Cougars were torched for 340 yards through the air against UTEP, but the Bruins haven’t been able to move the ball with much success so far this season.
UCLA is trying to avoid going 0-3 for the first time since 1971. That season they started off 0-4. A trip to Texas to take on the Longhorns looms for UCLA, so they could easily duplicate that 0-4 start if they lose this game to Houston. I mentioned the Bruins defensive woes, but the offense isn’t much better. Quarterback Kevin Prince has been awful this year throwing for a paltry 159 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions in 2 games so far. He was actually benched last week in the Bruins 35-0 drubbing by Stanford and replaced by Richard Brehaut. Brehaut wasn’t much better throwing for only 42 yards and an interception. The Bruins have only 2 offensive touchdowns and three field goals in two games. The rushing game isn’t much better, as the Bruins only have 345 total rushing yards in two games. The ruins have been pretty good against the pass giving up only 215 total yards in the air. But it really doesn’t matter if teams are running through your front seven like a knife through hot butter.
The Bruins must win this game, but in order to do that they need to play a lot better on both sides of the ball and quickly. Bettors should keep an eye on whether Keenum plays or not, but Turner and the rushing game might be enough to hold the fort until Keenum returns.
