PREMIUM
Rogers' Thursday Night Coach's Clinic >> 7-1 College Football Run!
(NCAAF) UCLA vs. Colorado,
Point Spread: -12.50 | -108.00 Colorado (Home)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: -12.50 | -108.00 Colorado (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: UCLA visits Boulder to take on Colorado on the first Thursday in November and who would have predicted that one could make the following statement. "Colorado controls its destiny in the Pac-12 South Division!" This marks Mike McIntyre's fourth season as the Buffs head coach and after years of going 4-8, 2-10 and 4-9, this year's team is 6-2 overall, including 4-1 in the Pac 12's South Division. Colorado made the AP top-25 poll back on October 2nd (at No. 21) for the first time since November of 2005. The Buffs fell out the following week but are back in at No.21 again this week. UCLA opened the season ranked No. 16 in the AP but the Bruins head to Boulder heading towards a ‘lost season,' checking in with a 3-5 record.
UCLA: QB Josh Rosen injured his throwing shoulder in the final minutes of an October 8 loss to Arizona State and it was announced just this past Tuesday that he will miss the rest of the season. Mike Fafaul, a fifth-year senior and former walk-on, will lead the Bruins the remainder of the way. He passed for 464 yards in UCLA's most recent game, a 52-45 October 22nd loss to Utah. He threw five TD passes in that contest but also four INTs (plus lost a fumble). He's thrown eight TD passes and eight INTs in his two starts (plus two relief appearances), while completing only 55.7 percent. UCLA's running game ranks dead-last nationally (128th) at 85.5 YPG plus defensively, the Bruins allow 26.8 PPG (58th) on 368.8 YPG (37th).
Colorado: Senior QB Sefo Liufau (67.4%, 1,179 yards & a 7-0 ratio) directs an offense that is 19th nationally with 495.8 YPG and checks in 33rd in scoring at 35.4 PPG. The running game has been strong all year, as the Buffs are averaging 216.0 YPG (32nd), led by RB Phillip Lindsay (745 yards, on 6.3 YPC with nine TDs). It's been balanced by a passing attack averaging 279.8 YPG (30th). Defensively, Colorado ranks 13th in points allowed (18.1 PPG) and 12th in total defense (306.6 YPG).
The pick: The Bruins have won all five meetings with Colorado in conference play since the Buffs joined the Pac-12 but that was then and this is now. McIntyre has developed a defense in his time at Boulder, as after Colorado allowed 38.3 PPG and 39.0 PPG in his first two seasons, the team dropped to 27.5 PPG allowed in 2015 and now to 18.1 PPG. That's some improvement. The team's offensive pass/run balance has been terrific but note that the running game has been pretty special. The Buffs have rushed for 247, 260, 260, 263, 315 and 224 yards in their six victories, while being held to 64 and 96 in their two losses. UCLA's rush defense, which allows 178.0 YPG, will be severely tested. UCLA beat Colorado just 35-31 last year (Buffs were just 4-9) and 40-37 in double overtime in 2014, when the Buffs finished 2-10. The shoe is on the other foot here in 2016. Make Colorado an 8* play.
UCLA: QB Josh Rosen injured his throwing shoulder in the final minutes of an October 8 loss to Arizona State and it was announced just this past Tuesday that he will miss the rest of the season. Mike Fafaul, a fifth-year senior and former walk-on, will lead the Bruins the remainder of the way. He passed for 464 yards in UCLA's most recent game, a 52-45 October 22nd loss to Utah. He threw five TD passes in that contest but also four INTs (plus lost a fumble). He's thrown eight TD passes and eight INTs in his two starts (plus two relief appearances), while completing only 55.7 percent. UCLA's running game ranks dead-last nationally (128th) at 85.5 YPG plus defensively, the Bruins allow 26.8 PPG (58th) on 368.8 YPG (37th).
Colorado: Senior QB Sefo Liufau (67.4%, 1,179 yards & a 7-0 ratio) directs an offense that is 19th nationally with 495.8 YPG and checks in 33rd in scoring at 35.4 PPG. The running game has been strong all year, as the Buffs are averaging 216.0 YPG (32nd), led by RB Phillip Lindsay (745 yards, on 6.3 YPC with nine TDs). It's been balanced by a passing attack averaging 279.8 YPG (30th). Defensively, Colorado ranks 13th in points allowed (18.1 PPG) and 12th in total defense (306.6 YPG).
The pick: The Bruins have won all five meetings with Colorado in conference play since the Buffs joined the Pac-12 but that was then and this is now. McIntyre has developed a defense in his time at Boulder, as after Colorado allowed 38.3 PPG and 39.0 PPG in his first two seasons, the team dropped to 27.5 PPG allowed in 2015 and now to 18.1 PPG. That's some improvement. The team's offensive pass/run balance has been terrific but note that the running game has been pretty special. The Buffs have rushed for 247, 260, 260, 263, 315 and 224 yards in their six victories, while being held to 64 and 96 in their two losses. UCLA's rush defense, which allows 178.0 YPG, will be severely tested. UCLA beat Colorado just 35-31 last year (Buffs were just 4-9) and 40-37 in double overtime in 2014, when the Buffs finished 2-10. The shoe is on the other foot here in 2016. Make Colorado an 8* play.
