UCLA was in the game against Minnesota until the very end, when they lost 21–17. It has lost five straight games since beating Hawaii in a tough game to start the season.
Not much hope for the rest of the way, at least in the Big Ten. Now it has to go across the country to play a Rutgers team that is still trying to get back on its feet after Wisconsin ran them over.
It is hard for the Scarlet Knights to score, and if they lose this, they will never be able to get to six wins and a bowl game.
UCLA vs Rutgers Preview
UCLA vs Rutgers How to Watch
Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
Venue: SHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ
How to Watch: FS1
Rutgers (4-2), UCLA (1-5)
Why UCLA Will Win
That is a little better.
The Bruins have yet to gain 100 yards on the ground this season, so the running game is not going to work. But the passing game does make things better.
After missing the Penn State game, Ethan Garbers got the start and completed 69% of his passes, gaining 293 yards and a score. It was better than the final score, but they still lost to LSU by 281 yards. In the win over Hawaii, he threw for 272 yards.
Our defense is very good, but Wisconsin rolled us for 240 yards in the loss, and Washington threw for 314 yards, and…
Why Rutgers Will Win
Yeah, Ethan Garbers is throwing okay for the Bruins, but he’s also giving away too many picks.
Two against Oregon, three against Minnesota, and nine overall with at least one in every game. On the flip side, Rutgers has come up with one interception in every game but the win over Washington.
It’s a simple equation for Rutgers, though – convert on third down chances, win.
Rutgers is 4-0 when converting 47% or better on third down tries, and 0-2 when converting fewer than 30% of its tries. And …
UCLA vs Rutgers: Who Will Win
UCLA is the worst team in the country at stopping teams on third down; they let teams succeed 57% of the time.
Since Rutgers has lost two games and only scored seven points in each one, they will not do anything crazy. Run the ball, play good defense, keep the time running, and expect UCLA to stumble and miss key plays.
A tough fight will not have many points, but Rutgers is good when the fight does not go back and forth.
UCLA vs Rutgers Prediction, Betting Lines
Rutgers 23, UCLA 17
Line: Rutgers -4.5, o/u: 40.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
UCLA vs Rutgers Must See Rating: 2.5
