UCLA Bruins vs Penn State Nittany Lions Prediction, 10/5/2024 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: UCLA Bruins vs Penn State Nittany Lions

Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024

Location: Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA

TV: FOX

Odds/Point Spread: Nittany Lions (-28.5)

Total/Over-Under: 45

The Penn State Nittany Lions (4-0) will play the UCLA Bruins (1-3) at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, October 5, 2024. UCLA opens this game as 28.5-point dogs. The over/under is set at 45.

The UCLA Bruins head into this game 1-3 for this year. The last time they took the field, the Bruins played against the Oregon Ducks and walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 34-13. For the game, they had 48 plays which converted into 172 yds. The UCLA Bruins ended up running the ball 24 times and recorded 47 yds, which is an average of 2.0 yards per carry. On the ground, the Bruins conceded 153 yds on 36 tries, which is an average of 4.3 yds per run surrendered. UCLA allowed 31 pass completions on 42 tries for a total of 278 yds, and a completion percentage of 73.8%.

Regarding putting the ball in the endzone, the UCLA Bruins are averaging 14.8 points per outing. As a unit they average 57.0 yards on the ground which ranks them 133rd in the country. The Bruins have racked up 1,048 total yards over the course of this season. When it comes to getting the ball in the endzone, UCLA has totaled 3 passing touchdowns and 1 touchdown on the ground. UCLA has tallied 63 first downs as an offense, and they have been called for 31 penalties for 300 yards. They have given the ball to the opposition 8 different times.

When talking about yards through the air, the Bruins are giving up 1,164 yds which has them ranked 111th in D-1. They have yielded 291.0 yards per game via the pass in addition to giving up a completion percentage of 70.2%. For the season, they have yielded 398.3 yards per game which has them ranked 99th in college football. They have yielded 11 touchdowns via the pass as well as 4 touchdowns via the ground game. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.5 yards per running attempt and 107.3 rushing yards per game on the season. In total, they have allowed 429 rushing yards through 4 contests. The Bruins rank 106th in D-1 concerning the opposition scoring, allowing 30.8 PPG.

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The Nittany Lions head into this game 4-0 this season. When they last stepped on the gridiron, the Nittany Lions walked away with a victory by a final of 21-7 when they faced the Illinois Fighting Illini. Penn State relinquished 32 rush attempts for 34 yds (1.1 yds per rush). The Nittany Lions passing defense allowed a completion rate of 64.0%, relinquishing 185 yards on 16 out of 25 through the air. The Nittany Lions finished the game with 374 yards while running 65 plays (5.8 yards per play). Penn State ended up running for 5.4 yards per attempt, finishing with a total of 239 yards on 44 attempts.

The Penn State Nittany Lions maintain an average of 496.8 yards per game, which ranks them 11th in Division 1. The Penn State offense has accrued 264 penalty yards on 28 violations, which ranks 71st in college football in terms of hurting your team. They maintain an average of 251.0 run yards per game and have rushed for 1,004 yards for this season. They have tossed 2 interceptions while allowing opponents to recover 1 fumble and they have tallied 106 1st downs. Regarding putting points on the board, the Nittany Lions sit 31st in college football with an average of 36.3 PPG. During the season to this point, the Nittany Lions have thrown for a total of 983 yards via the pass in addition to holding an average of 245.8 passing yards per contest, which has them ranked 53rd in D-1.

Penn State has allowed a total of 288 yards rushing (72.0 yards/game) as well as 2 touchdowns rushing on the campaign. They have allowed 3 touchdowns through the air as well as 154.5 yards/game, ranking them 14th in the nation. Their defense has earned 3 fumbles and 4 picks on the campaign. The Nittany Lions defense has been on the field for 232 plays, which is good for 9th in Division 1. The Nittany Lions are surrendering 11.5 PPG, which puts them 7th in D-1. This year, they have conceded 46 points.

Who will win tonight's Bruins/Nittany Lions college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Nittany Lions -28.5

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