UCLA Bruins at Arizona St Sun Devils, Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ
Friday, November 26, 2010, 3:30 pm Eastern, TV: Fox Sports Net
Opening Line: ASU -10
Current Line: ASU -12 1/2
Opening Total: 48 1/2
Current Total: 48 1/2
Money Line: ASU -460 / UCLA +365
The 4-6 UCLA Bruins travel to Tempe to take on the 4-6 Arizona St Sun Devils. The winner of this game can still go to a bowl if they beat their arch-rivals next week. However, USC and Arizona will be significant favorites in those games next week, so these two teams might be playing for pride or for next year. Both of these teams are probably better than their record indicates as they both have some close losses and games they could have won. The Sun Devils especially are kicking themselves. Besides an inexplicable blowout at Cal, ASU’s other losses are to Wisconsin, Oregon, Oregon St, USC, and Stanford by a total of 20 points. All of those teams are going to a bowl game or would be if they were eligible in USC’s case. Wisconsin, Oregon, and Stanford are all ranked in the top 10 in the BCS standings. Besides the Cal game, the Sun Devils led in all of those games. UCLA has won 6 of the last 9 meetings in the series straight up versus Arizona St and gone 6-1 ATS in the last 7. Arizona St is 6-0 ATS the last two seasons in home games after playing a conference rival.
UCLA has been up and down this season and honestly no one knows from week to week which team will show up for the Bruins. They started off losing their first 2 games, then went on a 3 game winning streak, then lost 3 in a row before alternating a win and a loss in the last two weeks. The Bruins are being outscored 28-19 on the season and being out gained 397-300 yards a game. Besides struggling on offense the Bruins also have a turnover margin of -10. They give up more than 60 yards a game in penalties. The Bruins run the pistol offense and don’t throw the ball that often. They have used 3 quarterbacks this season and only have 5 touchdown passes. Even Georgia Tech and the service academies who run the option offense have more than that. Sophomore Richard Brehaut took over for ineffective Kevin Prince a few games ago. Brehaut hasn’t been much better as he has only 2 touchdown passes and 5 interceptions. Brehaut suffered a concussion in the Bruins last game against Washington, a 24-7 Husky victory. He has practiced this week and is expected to play against Arizona St. If Brehaut can’t go junior Clayton Tunney will get the start for the Bruins. Tunney was 1-8 for 13 yards and an interception against Washington after Brehaut left the game. Brehaut also has 3 rushing touchdowns on the season. The Bruins rush for 186 yards a game led by Johnathan Franklin (187 carries, 945 yards, and 7 touchdowns) and Derrick Coleman (72 carries, 444 yards, and 5 touchdowns)
As mentioned, Arizona St has lost a lot of close games to good teams. Their 4 wins are against Northern Arizona, Portland St, Washington, and Washington St. The Sun Devils won those games by an average margin of 30 points. That explains why they have outscored their opponents by an average of 30-24 this season despite having a losing record. They gain more than 412 yards a game but give up 357. The Sun devils do most of their damage with the passing game as they average almost 279 yards a game though the air. The Sun Devils have a turnover margin of -7. The offense is led by quarterback Steven Threet who is inconsistent. Sometimes he looks brilliant but other times he makes you question his judgment. He has thrown for over 2,500 yards, with 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He also has two rushing touchdowns. Threet spreads the ball around as 8 ASU receivers have at least 20 catches. No Sun Devil receiver has more than4 touchdown catches. ASU rushes for 134 yards a game. Cameron Marshall (110 carries 577 yards, 7 touchdowns) and Deantre Lewis (87 carries, 521 yards, and 4 touchdowns) split most of the carries.
These two teams have to win out in order to go to a bowl game. However, they both made their situation by losing close games that they should have won. Both coaches Rick Neuheisel (UCLA) and Dennis Erickson (ASU) could be on the hot seat for these disappointing seasons.
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