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The No. 14 Washington State Cougars (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) face the UCLA Bruins (3-1, 0-1) Saturday. Kickoff from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena is set for 3 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Washington State vs. UCLA odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Washington State is coming off a bye week following a 38-35 upset win over the Oregon State Beavers. QB Cameron Ward has completed 74.6% of his passes (106 of 142) for 1,390 yards, 13 TDs with no interceptions. The Cougar offense averages 533.8 total yards per game and 406 of those come from the passing attack.
UCLA was also off last week after suffering a 14-7 loss vs. the Utah Utes. UCLA has a much more balanced offense than Washington State, averaging 456 total yards per game with 251 coming via the air and 205 coming on the ground.
Washington State is No. 14 in the US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
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Washington State at UCLA odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:46 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Washington State +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | UCLA -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Washington State +3 (-105) | UCLA -3 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 59.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Washington State at UCLA picks and predictions
Prediction
Washington State 38, UCLA 32
Moneyline
LEAN WASHINGTON STATE (+140).
I like Washington State to blow the top off of this UCLA defense that has been stout to start the season, and I don’t see UCLA’s offense being able to keep up with the Cougars. UCLA was held to 7 points in its last outing vs. Utah and that should cause some concern among Bruins fans. UCLA’s defense has yet to allow more than 13 points in a game this year, but I expect Ward and this Cougar offense to break that streak.
Against the spread
BET WASHINGTON STATE +3 (-105).
Washington State has a terrible defense that will allow UCLA to likely make this a close game, but I expect Ward to shred this Bruin defense and continue to do so without committing turnovers. Ward has 3 receivers with more than 300 yards receiving and with multiple TDs. Look for Ward to spread the ball around and get the Cougars out to an early lead that they will hold until the end.
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 59.5 (-115).
The Over number of 59.5 has been hit in 3 of the last 6 meetings between these teams, and I expect it to be hit again in this meeting. Both of these offenses average more than 460 yards per game, but what will propel this game to hit the Over is Washington State’s terrible defense. The Cougars’ defense allows 382.8 yards of offense per game with 250.8 of those coming through the air. Look for both teams to score 30+ here.
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