This is all about line value here, and we never should have played Auburn last week, but finally they are making the switch at QB that they needed to. Sean White will take over, and theyâll face a Miss State that lost to LSU at home the week before by a much different score, but were equally dominated.
Auburn has been running the ball fine they just need a little balance with the threat of the pass game which I think they will have this week. Malzahn said, â"Sean White is a guy that has gotten a lot of reps," said Malzahn. "He's responded very well in practice and very well in scrimmages. I feel like he needs a shot right now, and we've got a lot of confidence in him." "He's a guy that can flat-out throw it and he can run it to. He's got that little air of confidence that quarterbacks have."
I rarely will take a road favorite in a situation like this, but my algorithms love UCLA in this situation and I do too. First of all it says a lot about what the oddsmakers think of UCLA to make them favorites of 4.5 points, and now we are getting some value her eon UCLA despite some injuries to key players. UCLA is a very deep team and one player does not make or break this team. They are far more talented than Arizona who has not been able to beat Jim Mora at UCLA. UCLA has beaten Arizona the last 3 years, but they will not be taking them lightly thatâs for sure seeing as Arizona was the Pac 12 South champion a year ago.
The key for Saturday nightâs game is UCLA staying dedicated to running the ball with Paul Perkins. I believe they will do that behind their offensive line thatâs playing as good as any. Perkins is averaging 7.40 ypc on the season while they have only given up 1 sack. QB Josh Rosen has definitely come back down to earth, but I think that only benefits them here. Arizona canât get to the QB, and yes they will have a 3-3-5 defense that might confuse him, but I expect him to be a bit humbled by this point in the season. Coming off a 3 INT game I think he plays a lot more conservative which will only help UCLA win this game on the road.
UCLA were big favorites last week against Arizona and were down 20-10 late, but came back and won which also has to say a lot about this team, but this game is much more important to them than last week, and I expect them to come out and play one of their best games. Arizona meanwhile returns just 12 starters, and has had issues that have been hidden in their 3-0 start. For one they had far too many troubles with UTSA out of Conference USA. Funny thing about the Road Runners is they were the least experienced team in the nation. They returned 20 starters the previous year, but lost 31 lettermen. UTSA lost 32-42 at Arizona, then went on to play 2 other power 5 conference teams in Oklahoma State and Kansas State and lose 17-99. UTSAâs offense played the best by far against Arizona on the road and I expect UCLA to do whatever they want in this spot behind their offensive line while their defense dominated Arizona last year will again be able to make enough spots for them to win by a TD or more.
