UCLA Bruins vs
Penn St. Nittany LionsPredictions & Preview

Penn State Favored to Win by 27.5 Points in Big Ten Matchup Against UCLA at Beaver Stadium

This summary discusses an upcoming Big Ten football matchup between Penn State and UCLA. Penn State is favored to win the game by 27.5 points. The Bruins suffered a loss to No. 8 Oregon in their conference opener, while the Nittany Lions narrowly defeated No. 19 Illinois in their last game. The game is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Bruins +1800 | Nittany Lions -10000
• Spread: Bruins +27.5 (-110) | Nittany Lions -27.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 46.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Penn St. will win straight-up is 99%.

UCLA vs Penn St. Stats

UCLA Bruins

UCLA is currently facing a challenging start to Big Ten play, with three consecutive losses by an average margin of 22.3 points per game. The defense has struggled, allowing an average of 36.7 points per game in the losing streak. Junior LB Carson Schwesinger has been a standout player with 13 tackles in the last game and 34 total tackles this season. Offensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe praised the team's effort but emphasized the need for improvement. On offense, UCLA ranks last in the Big Ten with an average of 14.8 points and 262 total yards per game, and their rushing game is the second lowest in the country with an average of 57 yards per game. Starting QB Ethan Garbers had a tough game against Oregon, going 12-20 for 118 yards with two interceptions before leaving the game due to an ankle injury. UCLA is currently ranked 128th in offense, 105th in defense, and has a season record of 1-3 (2-2 ATS) with a power ranking of 89.

Penn St. Nittany Lions Analysis

The Penn State Nittany Lions passed their first true test of the season by defeating 19th ranked Illinois after a halftime standoff. Their defense was particularly impressive, allowing only 219 yards and holding the Illini to 4-13 on third downs. They currently rank second in the Big Ten for yards and points allowed per game, as well as 14th in the nation for passing yards allowed. DE Abdul Carter leads the team in sacks and tackles. The offense struggled initially but managed to score in the third and fourth quarters, finishing with 376 total yards. Their average of 496.8 yards and 36.3 points per game ranks them third in the Big Ten. Running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton had strong performances, with Singleton leading the team in rushing yards. The Nittany Lions have a power ranking of 4 and are ranked 31st nationally for offense.

UCLA Faces Tough Road Test Against Penn State: Can the Bruins Overcome Adversity?

The two programs have a history of six clashes, with the most recent meeting occurring back in 1968. Garbers did not participate in Bruins practice up until Wednesday, where he was observed on a stationary bike on the sidelines. This absence poses a significant issue for the UCLA offense, which has been struggling in recent weeks. Facing a third consecutive ranked opponent could potentially overwhelm DeShaun Foster's team early in the season. While the Bruins have performed better in away games, this will be their first road test in the Big Ten, against one of the most challenging opponents to play against. Penn State enters the game with all key players healthy and in good form. The Lions will look to bounce back from a previous lackluster offensive performance, especially since they have been averaging 37 points per game at home. It is anticipated that the Penn State offense will have early success against the UCLA defense, ultimately resulting in a favorable outcome for the Lions. I recommend taking the Nittany Lions to cover the spread.

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