It’s conference play at last, and UCLA’s third game of the season brings Purdue to the Rose Bowl with spread picks once again in play.
So far this year, Jack and Connor have both gone 2-for-2 on their spread picks. Jack also already cashed in on a bold call in Week 1, when he predicted Wayne Knight would score two touchdowns - Knight finished with three.
For this one, Jack is sticking with UCLA -14.5, even if he admits the number has been a headache all week.
“I was teetering, going back and forth all week with this line. It feels like Vegas nailed this one because, in my opinion, it's the trickiest one through the first three weeks.
However, I've picked the Bruins to cover in every game thus far and won't stop now. The ground game will be too much for Purdue, despite the size up front.
It's strength on strength, but it'll be UCLA's rushing attack that continues to roll.”
His bold prediction goes even bigger on the defensive side. Purdue has not turned the ball over yet, and quarterback Ryan Browne has kept things clean, but Jack thinks that changes under the night sky at the Rose Bowl. His call: UCLA’s defense comes up with three turnovers and three sacks.
Connor is taking the other side of the spread, backing Purdue +14.5 while still expecting a UCLA win.
He sees the Bruins taking it 28-17, but thinks the gap is too wide for the Boilermakers to be ignored. Connor believes Purdue is better than many expect and says the game should be tighter than the number suggests.
He pointed to the Boilermakers’ skill talent on offense as a test for the UCLA defense, and added that he doesn’t fully trust the Bruins’ offense yet. Even so, he thinks the return of wide receiver Landon Ellis this week should help the passing game.
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The run ended in the quarterfinals with a 19-17 loss to Latvia, but Daileys production stood out in a tournament that asked plenty of him physically. He finished with 28 points and 21 rebounds, a promising sign for UCLA as it looks toward the coming season and tries to build around players who can impact a game in more than one way. [Read more 🡒]