A clear difference exists within the UCLA football world compared to past seasons. Account of Chip Kelly’s arrival as head coach has set Westwood off its collective rocker. And why not? Kelly’s X-Box offenses and national success while at Oregon is freshly remembered. Extending that, UCLA is finally making a full investment in football. As a result, the Bruins have become college football betting odds favorites for marked improvement. Kelly went 46-7 at Oregon while revolutionizing offensive football. Not withstanding the hype is the problem of a starting quarterback. Kelly is yet to settle on one yet.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. UCLA Bruins
Date and Time: Saturday, September 1, 2018, 7 p.m. ET
Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
College Football Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati U | +15 (-110) | 64 (-110) |  |
| UCLA | -15 (-110) | 64 (-110) | |
| |||
Cincinnati vs UCLA TV Coverage: ESPN
Luke Fickell
Meanwhile Cincinnati is laboring in relative obscurity compared to UCLA. For example, they were 4-8 last year in coach Luke Fickell’s debut. Fickell arrived from Ohio State where he was co-defensive coordinator. Granted he inherited a neglected program. Nevertheless, he did little to inspire confidence with the college football betting odds. While Fickell has gotten good marks for recruiting improvement is likely far away.
Scenarios to Consider
Immediately problematic was an offense that was one of the worst in the country. Further the offensive line is short of upperclassmen with just two starters back. Senior quarterback Hayden Moore is back but streaky. It follows that Gino Guidugli was named new quarterbacks coach. He is charged with getting Moore to play with greater consistency. In like manner the defense was among the weakest in the country. Commencing with last spring Fickell is focused on recruiting and a long build out. Along the same lines UC is not expected to produce much for 2018.
UCLA Bruins
The old adage of college football is that if you have multiple quarterbacks you actually have none. It follows that the great irony of Chip Kelly’s arrival is the lack of a standout signal caller. By contrast his time at Oregon featured standouts like Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota. Correlate the reality of the UCLA roster. Moreover, immediate contender status is quite unlikely. In comparison to his Oregon rosters the Bruins are not nearly as skilled. In fact, Kelly is the star of the team and its greatest asset. Summing up 2018 is a full rebuild season.
Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati has been a subpar sportsbook online betting value as a road dog. Specifically, they have dropped four of their last six vs. the odds in that role. Seven of UC’s last 10 as away pups have gone under the total. Balanced against that is UCLA’s good betting numbers at home. To be exact the Bruins have lost just two of their last nine against the spread as home chalks. Three of their last four in that situation have gone over the total.
Matchup to Watch
From this point UCLA will get plenty of hype with the college football betting odds. However, are they really ready to lay big lumber on the board yet? Commencing with that is the fact that nobody respects Cincinnati. Which makes them the classic contrarian value. Especially with UCLA unsettled at quarterback while laying big points.
Cincinnati vs. UCLA Betting Odds Picks
Up against a big number without a clear cut QB, UCLA is a potential overlay. Consequently, the UC Bearcats look to have enhanced board value.
Cincinnati vs. UCLA Online Betting Pick: Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati vs. UCLA Online Betting Score Prediction: Cincinnati 24, UCLA 34
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