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Bettors Ponder Whether UCLA Can Rebound?
Needless to say for 85 UCLA Bruins players last Saturday afternoon was going to be a day they could tell all their buddies for many years. How they had traveled to South Bend, Indiana in 2006 and knocked off the mighty Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Then Mr. Quinn with 27 seconds left hooked up with his partner receiver Jeff Samardjzija on a 45-yard touchdown pass and all those beer stories suddenly sounded like a country western song with the proverbial sad ending.
This Saturday the Bruins cannot afford a hangover as the talented Washington State Cougars come to town and this should be a humdinger of a game as the Cougars, just knocked off Oregon last week.
The linemakers at the continent's largest online sportsbook Sportsbook are having a tough time with this one as they have installed the home side as a shaky -1 point pick.
While UCLA coach Karl Dorell stated that he and the players discussed the loss and then flushed it down the toilet, it's easier said then done. Don't despair, Bruin's faithful, as the team from up north has some serious issues along the defensive wall.
UCLA might want to test to middle of Washington State's defense, as the Cougars will be without two defensive tackles. That could also allow the Bruins to slide more protection toward DE Mkristo Bruce, who has 10 sacks this season. The Bruins don't have a great passing game, so it will be important to get RB Chris Markey untracked. He rushed for just 32 yards on 19 carries against Notre Dame.
The Cougars won on their last trip to Pasadena in 2004, but the Bruins countered in Pullman last season, 44-41. WSU can become bowl-eligible with a win.
G Andy Roof, who injured his heel against Oregon, is out this week and could miss another week. That means more shuffling for a WSU offensive front that has rarely had the same five players from game to game this season.
The over/under on the game is a very low 43, but both teams do not have capable backups at QB, so if they get injured, scoring points will be a difficult task.
About the Author: Bob is an experienced sports writer and handicapper who has written for the sports industry for over a decade. He has been a regular contributer to Sports Scene, a sports consultant for television's 33 Made and other major motion pictures.
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