The world will be introduced to one of the nation's most talented and sought-after recruits on Saturday when the UCLA Bruins debut freshman Josh Rosen against the Virginia Cavaliers.
WHEN THE UCLA BRUINS HAVE THE BALL
It's really all about Rosen in this game. He has never taken a snap in college, and he is only months removed from running a very similar style of offense in high school. That's what gave Jim Mora the ability to go all-in after him and land his man whom he hopes is going to be his quarterback for at least the next two or three years, if not the full four before the NFL calls.
Rosen might not be all that polished, but he has a fantastic team around him which should pick him up. Live bettors should expect to see UCLA dominate along the line of scrimmage in this game, which should go a long way towards covering the spread in this game.
Virginia's pass rush just isn't there any longer, which would be the one way to slow Rosen down. Eli Harold, Max Valles and Henry Coley, who combined for 24 sacks last season, are all gone, and that leaves a gaping hole for this defense to attempt to fill, one which probably isn't going to end up going well, at least in this game against this offensive line.
If by chance Virginia is getting some pressure in the UCLA backfield, live betting on the Hoos might make a lot of sense. We just don't see it happening that way.
WHEN THE VIRGINIA CAVALIERS HAVE THE BALL
The Cavaliers are really hoping to be a power running team, something which probably isn't going to work all that well against a very talented UCLA front seven. The good news is that Taquan Mizzell is expected to be a monster of a back this year for the Cavaliers, and they feel like they have the ability to run it in spite of the fact that they finished No. 96 in the land last year on the ground.
The big question is under center. Matt Johns is a big kid, but he hasn't shown that polish you would want out of an ACC quarterback at this level. If Johns is flustered in the pocket, something which is entirely possible in this game against a great pass rush, the Cavaliers aren't going to be scoring a ton of points, which is going to promote not only an under game, but a game in which the Bruins should cover with ease for both regular spread bettors and live bettors at early junctures.
TREND TO TRACK
Last season when these two teams played against each other, turnovers really did the Cavaliers in. They ended up allowing three defensive touchdowns in the first half alone. The defense did the job it had to do, holding Brett Hundley and the Bruins offense to just seven points for the game.
Herein lies the problem, though. What are the odds the Cavaliers can do that again in this game playing out in Pasadena? Certainly slim as we see it.
The Bruins aren't going to commit 12 penalties for 87 yards again as they did last year, and even if they are held to a relatively meager 358 yards of offense, they'll convert that into more than seven offensive points.
The Bruins are clearly the right play here in live betting even though they didn't cover the spread last year when these two met in Charlottesville.
BookMaker sent out the college football spread for this Saturday soiree at the UCLA Bruins -17 with a total of 54. Live wagering during commercials offers adjusted moneylines, totals and spreads. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
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