Under the lights Friday night, two former Pac-12 rivals will face off as the newest members of the Big Ten.
Washington (5-5) and UCLA (4-5) come into this game with challenges in their bid to qualify for a bowl game this fall, but the Huskies hope to end the Bruins' current winning streak at three in this matchup. That's what I think.
Washington will also look to preserve its 19-game home winning streak, the longest in modern school history.
Who will emerge victorious on Friday night? Dive into the matchup to find out.
UCLA vs Washington odds
(9 p.m. ET, FOX)
| team | spread | money line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California Los Angeles | +4.5 (-110) | +152 | o46.5 (-115) |
| washington | -4.5 (-110) | -184 | u46.5 (-105) |
UCLA vs. Washington predictions
When UCLA has the ball
After a rough start to the year, UCLA's offense is firmly on an upward trajectory.
Quarterback Ethan Garbers threw eight touchdowns and only two interceptions in wins over Rutgers, Nebraska and Iowa.
But the rubber hit the road against Washington Pass's elite defense.
The Huskies rank in the top three in EPA per pass and yards per dropback thanks to a lights-out secondary under defensive coordinator Steve Belichick.
Washington's pass rush has been hit and miss, but UCLA ranks 122nd in pass blocking and has struggled to keep Garvers upright for most of this year.
I expect UCLA, led by TJ Harden, to continue their resurgent run game in this contest after having their best game of the year. He had 20 carries for 125 yards against Iowa and should have more success against the Huskies, who rank 108th in defensive line yards and 122nd in stuff percentage.
when washington has the ball
Former Mississippi State transfer quarterback Will Rodgers fit seamlessly into Jedd Fisch's offense, tearing through defenses with consistent work from short to middle.
Rodgers has excelled from the clean pocket, ranking sixth in the nation in adjusted completion percentage, and UCLA ranks 126th in PFF pass rush grade.
Overall, the Bruins rank 114th in EPA/passing and 117th in pass completion percentage. This could be a big game for redshirt sophomore receiver Denzel Boston. Denzel Boston leads the team with 55 catches for 717 yards and nine touchdowns.
Running back Jonah Coleman will have a much harder time producing in this game against a UCLA run defense that ranks seventh in yards per carry allowed. Last week, the Bruins shut down one of the most dynamic runners in the country, Iowa's Caleb Johnson, holding him to just 49 yards on 18 carries.
UCLA vs Washington Pick
I expect Washington to win 20 straight games here at home, but I'm not going to rush for a field goal here.
The Huskies are a solid moneyline parlay piece with heavy favorites on Saturday if you want to take that approach.
Instead, target the props in this game and bet on Harden finishing with at least 45.5 rushing yards.
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The Huskies have been weak up front, ranking 132nd in the FBS in havoc percentage and 97th in EPA/rushing allowed.
Bruins head coach Deshaun Foster, a former running back, wants his run game to lead the way.
With Garbers not having much success against elite secondaries, UCLA has taken a balanced approach on the road, giving Harden, who averaged over 3.9 yards after contact in the past two games, a boost on the ground. It is hoped that this will lead to another big match.
Best bet: TJ Harden, rushing yards over 45.5 (-114, FanDuel)
Why trust New York Post Betting?
Jacob Wayne handicaps college football and the NFL for the New York Post. He gained 84.5 units across two sports for an ROI of 6.27%.
