The Bowling Green Falcons head west to face the UCLA Bruins Saturday. Kickoff from historic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena is set for 2:30 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Bowling Green vs. UCLA odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Falcons will become the first Mid-American team to play in the Rose Bowl since the NCAA Division I FBS era began in 1978. They will hope to channel their nerves and slow down the Chip Kelly-led Bruins.
The Falcons are coming off a 4-6 season despite their defense ranking 9th in the country for least amount of passing yards allowed per game.
Led by CB Davon Ferguson, in his 2nd season after transferring from Kansas, and S Jordan Anderson, the Falcons will have their best chance at a victory by performing well on the defensive side of the ball. They’ll likely need to get more than a few takeaways and make key stops.
The Bruins, who finished 8-4 last season, are a hard team to scout. They upset No. 16 LSU in the 2nd week of 2021, but turned around and lost 14 days later at home to unranked Fresno State. They did have a 3-point loss to No. 10 Oregon, but were blown out by Arizona State and Utah. If the Bruins are able to keep the momentum from a 3-game win streak that closed their 2021 campaign, the Falcons may be in for a long afternoon.
The Bruins scored no fewer than 42 points in each of their last 3 games, while averaging a margin of victory of 27.0 points.
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Bowling Green at UCLA odds
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:26 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Bowling Green +1200 (bet $100 to win $1,200) | UCLA -2500 (bet $2,500 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bowling Green +23.5 (-110) | UCLA -23.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 56.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Bowling Green at UCLA picks and predictions
Prediction
UCLA 45, Bowling Green 17
Money line
PASS.
While UCLA and Kelly-led teams typically do not mess around and tend to win the games they should, the return on investment of a -2500 money line wager does not seem worth the risk in this matchup.
Against the spread
BET UCLA 23.5 (-110).
With such a huge line, it almost seems crazy to bet UCLA, but that is exactly what I am doing. UCLA has the experience, coaching and, most importantly, home-field advantage.
With a highly explosive offense led by QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the Bruins put up more than 30 points in 9 of their 12 games last season.
UCLA is not going to take it easy on a MAC school traveling across the country. The explosive Bruins are just going to be too much, and the difference in size in the middle should also play a key factor.
Again, BACK UCLA -23.5 (-110).
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 56.5 (-112).
If my score predicted score is accurate, then this game should just tip the Over, which is exactly what I’m putting my money on.
I see this game being a blowout and the Bruins will tear apart the Falcons defense, but it could come down to how many meaningless points the Bruins defense allows.
UCLA allowed 77 points in 3 non-conference games last season. Expect the Falcons to get on the board at least a couple of times.
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