UCLA
vs.
Stanford
College Football
Pick – Trends
10/19/13
The importance of this Game was chopped in half due to Stanford’s loss last Saturday at Utah. It would have been a Top 10 matchup in the Pac-12 with possible National Championship implications. While that’s not exactly the case anymore, this is still a huge Game. Stanford opened as -6.5 point home favorites at 5 dimes sportsbook and now sits at -4.5. As of Tuesday, UCLA RB Jordan James is listed as questionable.
Even with last weekend’s loss, Stanford is not ready to give up its season just yet. As seen in previous years, one loss doesn’t ruin your season entirely. Now with home Games against UCLA and Oregon, the Cardinal can ruin two other teams’ title hopes. At this point, making it to the Conference Championship Game is Stanford’s main goal. They won’t get there by losing these next two home Games.
The Bruins are undefeated, but now have the toughest back-to-back stretch of their season and possibly of any team in the nation. They have road Games against Stanford and Oregon in the matter of eight days. While they have looked good up until now, none of that matters.
UCLA already beat Nebraska (41-21) and Utah (34-27) on the road, so they have what it takes. Quarterback Brett Hundley is improved on last year’s stellar freshman campaign. He does have Four interceptions and will need to limit those against Stanford’s defense. Shaq Evans and Devin Fuller will be big in the passing Game as the two have combined for half of Hundley’s TDs (six). On the ground, the Bruins have rolled with Jordon James (463 yards, five TDs) and Hundley (260 yards, three TDs).
Stanford QB Kevin Hogan lost his first Game as a starting QB against the Utes. He was asked to do a little more than usual and didn’t get the job done. In his last two Games (vs. Washington, at Utah), Hogan only has 346 yards and two TDs. Their run Game has been solid, but not dominant. RB Tyler Gaffney has 570 yards through six Games along with seven TDs. The man to watch for the Cardinal is receiver Ty Montgomery, who has two straight Games with a kickoff return for a TD in the first quarter. He’s also Hogan’s favorite target in the passing Game with 31 receptions.
Much like last year’s Games, this is going to be a close one. However, it doesn’t look like Stanford has the edge anymore. The Cardinal has covered in Four of the last five matchups in this meeting. UCLA has the edge at QB with Hundley, but will Stanford’s defense be too much at home?
The Bruins have covered in five straight and are 4-1 ATS in their last five road and Conference Games. The Cardinal are only 1-4 ATS in their last five Games following a straight up loss. In this meeting, the Bruins are just 2-6 ATS in the last eight Games played in Stanford.
The importance of this Game was chopped in half due to Stanford’s loss last Saturday at Utah. It would have been a Top 10 matchup in the Pac-12 with possible National Championship implications. While that’s not exactly the case anymore, this is still a huge Game. Stanford opened as -6.5 point home favorites at 5 dimes sportsbook and now sits at -4.5. As of Tuesday, UCLA RB Jordan James is listed as questionable.
Even with last weekend’s loss, Stanford is not ready to give up its season just yet. As seen in previous years, one loss doesn’t ruin your season entirely. Now with home Games against UCLA and Oregon, the Cardinal can ruin two other teams’ title hopes. At this point, making it to the Conference Championship Game is Stanford’s main goal. They won’t get there by losing these next two home Games.
The Bruins are undefeated, but now have the toughest back-to-back stretch of their season and possibly of any team in the nation. They have road Games against Stanford and Oregon in the matter of eight days. While they have looked good up until now, none of that matters.
UCLA already beat Nebraska (41-21) and Utah (34-27) on the road, so they have what it takes. Quarterback Brett Hundley is improved on last year’s stellar freshman campaign. He does have Four interceptions and will need to limit those against Stanford’s defense. Shaq Evans and Devin Fuller will be big in the passing Game as the two have combined for half of Hundley’s TDs (six). On the ground, the Bruins have rolled with Jordon James (463 yards, five TDs) and Hundley (260 yards, three TDs).
Stanford QB Kevin Hogan lost his first Game as a starting QB against the Utes. He was asked to do a little more than usual and didn’t get the job done. In his last two Games (vs. Washington, at Utah), Hogan only has 346 yards and two TDs. Their run Game has been solid, but not dominant. RB Tyler Gaffney has 570 yards through six Games along with seven TDs. The man to watch for the Cardinal is receiver Ty Montgomery, who has two straight Games with a kickoff return for a TD in the first quarter. He’s also Hogan’s favorite target in the passing Game with 31 receptions.
Much like last year’s Games, this is going to be a close one. However, it doesn’t look like Stanford has the edge anymore. The Cardinal has covered in Four of the last five matchups in this meeting. UCLA has the edge at QB with Hundley, but will Stanford’s defense be too much at home?
The Bruins have covered in five straight and are 4-1 ATS in their last five road and Conference Games. The Cardinal are only 1-4 ATS in their last five Games following a straight up loss. In this meeting, the Bruins are just 2-6 ATS in the last eight Games played in Stanford.
The betting trends at 5dimes.com show that a whopping 87% of the early action on this Game has been on Stanford despite the early line move.
Check back Friday afternoon for a pick on this Game
Check back Friday afternoon for a pick on this Game