Utah at UCLA - Sep 2nd

[SBRforum Staff]

Utah at UCLA

By: Mike Rose

http://www/who2beton.com

Utah should handle the favored UCLA Saturday night in LA and get their 2006 season off on a winning note.

The Bruins of ’06 are without a number of impact players from last year’s team, and they still have an atrocious defense. With their offensive coordinator, QB, top RB, and TE gone, this offense will be a ghost of its former self early on.

Overall, the Utes are the better team, and better adjusted to what their coaches want from them. They’re a popular choice heading into tonight’s game with the Bruins, but I believe it’s well warranted. They closed out last season as one of the hottest teams in the Mountain West Conference winning four of their last five, which includes the beating they dished out to Ga Tech in the Emerald Bowl.

This year’s squad returns 13 starters from last year's team, and looks primed to make another serious run at the MWC Championship. This will just be the first step in their trek to get back into the national spotlight, and hopefully play in another BCS Bowl.

UCLA’s the false favorite here. Grab as many points as you can, or play the Ute’s on the money line. They win this puppy SU, and send the Rose Bowl faithful home in tears!

Play: Utah +3½

[BRUIN PRIDE]

First of all I will not be leaving the Rose Bowl in tears!!! (mostly due to the fact that I will be too hammered).. There are way too many unknowns for UCLA coming out of the gate. They lost way too many of their key players and coaches to come out of the gate strong. I do disagree about their defense will be as bad as it was last year. They are supposed to have one of the top 10 defensive lines in the nation this year., which will help out their defense greatly. Most all of them were out last year due to injuries. Their linebacker group is very young and inexperienced. I do think they are talented, just not experienced. Next year though will be a different story for the Bruins. Barring any injuries The Bruins will be returning 17 starters next year.( I don't think any of the underclassmen will be leavin to go to the nfl early).

But as a UCLA fan I would lay off of this game due to too many unknowns for the Bruins this year.

[pags11]

I think at three (where the line currently sits), there's a lot of value in UCLA...won't be betting it, but that's my thoughts...