The UCLA Bruins and Colorado Buffaloes meet in Boulder, Colo. for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday.
Below, we give you five college football prop bet predictions from the BetMGM game menu.
College football prop bet predictions
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:20 a.m. ET.
UCLA 1st Quarter Money Line (-167)
The Bruins should find the Colorado defense very giving. Head coach Karl Dorrell takes the reins for the Buffaloes, trying to turn around a defense that allowed over 300 passing yards per game last season. Third-year QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a dual threat who will make life miserable for a Buffs D, especially in the opener after limited practice time. DTR was fourth in the Pac-12 in total yards last season, averaging 263.5 yards per game, and he’ll get the Bruins off to a quick start.
UCLA 1st Half Spread (-3, -129)
In last season’s game at Rose Bowl, the Bruins rolled up a 17-0 lead after one quarter, and a 17-7 lead at the break. Look for more of the same at Folsom Field as the Buffaloes should once again struggle in the secondary early in the season. Thompson-Robinson will be a stern test for Colorado in the opener, and it’s one that won’t end well for the home side.
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Colorado Under 26.5 Points (-129)
The Buffaloes no longer have the potent pass-catch combination of Steven Montez and Laviska Shenault Jr., with the latter now plying his trade on Sundays with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Instead, the Buffs turn to Sam Noyer, who has been named the starting signal caller. He started as a quarterback, moved to safety, and now he is a quarterback again. The good news is that the cupboard isn’t completely bare, as WR KD Nixon could be a decent downfield threat. However, more than 26.5 points is a little ambitious for this offense, especially with a new coaching staff. Teams with new staffs and limited practice in the spring and summer have gotten off to slow starts.
First-half Total (Under 28.5, -121)
As mentioned above, last season with an experienced quarterback and star wideout, the Buffs managed just seven points against UCLA in the first half. Thompson-Robinson and company have plenty of experience, but he also turned the ball over quite a bit in key situations. I expect that we’ll see plenty of struggles and a lot of rust in the first half as these two teams embark on their seasons. The offense might be more crisp in the second half, but expect struggles early on.
Colorado Alternate Line (+8.5, -182)
I am not sold on the Buffs at +5.5 on the standard line, but I am also not sold on the Bruins hitting the road and winning by more than one score. Dorrell’s group is picked to finish in the basement by most prognosticators in their division, but he’ll get his team to make a late run in this game. The Bruins are 0-6 ATS in the past six as a road favorite, and just 2-5 ATS in the past seven meetings with the Buffs. Colorado will not get blown out at home.
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