UCLAâs struggles against Stanford in recent history are well documented (1-6 ATS in their last 7), but this is a different team. This is probably the best UCLA team that Stanford has faced, and for Stanford people are forgetting that this team replaced their entire defense and I know they have looked good of late, and their wins against USC and Arizona are impressive, but this is their biggest challenge. Iâm not even that impressed now with their win against USC considering their situation now with Sarkisan and their loss against Northwestern looks even worse now after what Northwestern did at Michigan.
Jim Mora is a very good coach and this team has played exceptionally well on the road, 5-0 last year 2-0 on neutral fields. This team is also 5-0 ATS in their last 5 following a bye week, and the value is there considering vegas was off by nearly 30 points in their last match up against Arizona State. Listen Arizona State is good, they had a bad game against USC, and they pose a different challenge than Stanford. With Stanford what you see is what you get and itâs not overly difficult to prepare for. I see UCLAâs offense really doing well in this game as they are truly balanced and pose a different challenge to this Stanford defense that in my opinion is getting a little too much credit.
When I say Stanford is predictable thatâs not always easy to stop, but in their wins this year they have a QB rating of 204 and 88 in their loss. That follows the trends from previous years in 2014 it was 167, to 113, and in 2013 it was 163 to 113. This team needs Kevin Hogan to play well, and he honestly faces a tough task here on Thurdsay night even at home against the Bruins. UCLA has an interception in every game, and is top 25 in opponent yards per attempt and completion %. UCLA has been excellent in the red zone allowing only 38.89% TDâs, and on third down 36% both are better than Stanfordâs defensive stats. This just is not the same Stanford defense and they have actually allowed more sacks, and tackles for loss and have only forced 3 TOâs.
