9/2 GOW UCLA/SD St.

[Conan]

I'm putting this one up early for the sake of value. I think you might have to lay 10 points or more if you wait.

UCLA -8.5/SD State

I've combed through the opening lines and this game stands out to me as the most probable to hit.

The Bruins are returning a very high powered offense and should smother the Aztecs no matter where they are playing. It's just a 2 hr. bus ride from Westwood to San Diego so travel shouldn't be an issue anyway. Even the (405 San Diego freeway) onramp is just a couple blocks from the UCLA campus. This one should be a lot of fun to watch.

I'll be doing the UCLA write up in the next couple days in the Pac-10 thread if you want more details. I'll toss in some info on the (bottom feeder) Aztecs too just FYI in that post. But basically I see very little defense available on the Aztecs to stop the powerful Bruin offense. And, the Brus are a team that will run up the score if given the opportunity.

 

[Railbird]

Agree with pick, but UCLA has a horrible coaching staff. Tom Craft was also suppose to do more. I think UCLA is something like 15-2 ats in this series, and 8-0 ats at JAck Murphy. A home coming for Karl Dorral.


I would also like to make a limit bet on the OVER for the bus ride. It is a 3:15 ride without the traffic, I assume team is leaving on a Friday, the it will be a 5 hour ride. IF its on a Sat morning could be 6 hour ride.

 

[Conan]

I can do it in an hour and a half.

:toothless

 

[WCBias]

This will get ugly fast...UCLA going against a revamped SDSU defense that lost all 4 in the LB rotation....

UCLA should put up 50, but Railbird is right, Karl Dorrell is not only the worst coach in the Pac 10, he may be the worst coach in Division I.

 

[GreenDoberman]

Aztecs lost heart and soul of that defense.

 

[CoachCB]

This will get ugly fast...UCLA going against a revamped SDSU defense that lost all 4 in the LB rotation....

UCLA should put up 50, but Railbird is right, Karl Dorrell is not only the worst coach in the Pac 10, he may be the worst coach in Division I.

I think Ron Zook takes that distinction!

 

[outhousetim]

agree

Bruins 36-19

 

[AlwaysKeen]

UCLA definitely owns SDSU, Dorrell just scares me...solid analysis here though Conan...

 

[jesse1111]

you can get UCLA at -7 at pinny currently.

 

[WCBias]

Will add there will be nearly as many UCLA fans as Aztec fans

 

[CalRedwood]

With school not in session there won't be 35,000 people in the Q.

 

[outhousetim]

Agree. Who will come to cheer the home team?

 

[AlwaysKeen]

good point about the fans...

 

[WCBias]

Agree. Who will come to cheer the home team?

Bruins

 

[Conan]

I bet there are a ton of UCLA alums that live down in SD and Orange Counties and they'll be there too.

Tickets at the Q are available for $50 (and a tank of gas) for this game and you have to pay $100-$500 to see anything at the Coliseum or Rose Bowl.

(Hell, I'd do it.)

Also, here's an interesting little snipit I found on the web.
This came from an article I read about coaches on the hot seat.

Tom Craft, San Diego State

Craft saved his hide this offseason by hiring three new offensive coaches -- Ed White (offensive line), LeCharls McDaniel (running backs) and Dennis McKnight (tight ends). That's not overly impressive for a head coach who also doubles as offensive coordinator.

Defense has been the Aztecs' strength during Craft's three-year stint, but with seven starters gone from last year's unit Craft knows his offense will have to shoulder the load. Alumni and administration are running out of patience, and a tough early schedule (UCLA, at Air Force and at Ohio State) doesn't bode well for confidence purposes. If the Aztecs begin the season 0-3, it will be nearly impossible for Craft and his staff to keep the attention of their players.

 

[outhousetim]

agree

Hard to believe ucla can't score 35 or 40 here.

 

[WCBias]

Hard to believe ucla can't score 35 or 40 here.

I was thinking 45 to 50. Marcedes Lewis and Maurice Drew will have HUGE games against the new LB corp. at SDSU.

With Rice on-deck, there is no reason UCLA should not take these 4 quarters to prepare for Oklahoma in week three.

 

[AlwaysKeen]

down to seven now...

 

[PokerKingJim]

Looking like it may go back up above 7. It's at 7.5 at some places. Gonna keep an eye on it and play it at 7 if it looks like it will go to 7.5 everywhere. Would be really nice to get it at 6.5.

 

[AlwaysKeen]

just don't know if we will see that though...two bad coaches should cancel eachother out so the fact that UCLA has owned them lately is good...