UCLA vs Penn State Prediction College Football Picks 10/5/24

Penn State (4-0) vs UCLA (1-3)

Game Info: Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 12:00 pm (Beaver Stadium)

Betting Odds: Penn State -28 / UCLA +28 --- Over/Under: 46.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The UCLA Bruins and Penn State Nittany Lions meet Saturday in week 6 college football action at Beaver Stadium. Here’s a UCLA vs Penn State Prediction. This article will include a UCLA vs Penn State Pick.

UCLA Bruins Betting Preview

The UCLA Bruins lost to Indiana, LSU, and Oregon, and they play Minnesota next. UCLA has split its last 8 road games. Ethan Garbers is completing 57.3 percent of his passes for 808 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Rico Flores Jr. and Moliki Matavao have combined for 293 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while Kwazi Gilmer has 6 receptions.

The UCLA Bruins ground game is averaging 57 yards per contest, and Harden leads the way with 125 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, UCLA is allowing 30.8 points and 398.3 yards per game. Carson Schwesinger leads the UCLA Bruins with 34 tackles, Ale Kaho has 1 sack and D.J. Justice has 1 interception.

Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Preview

The Penn State Nittany Lions beat Bowling Green, Kent State, and Illinois, and they play USC next. Penn State looks for a fourth straight 5-0 start to a season. Drew Allar is completing 70.9 percent of his passes for 864 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Tyler Warren and Omari Evans have combined for 477 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Harrison Wallace III has 11 receptions.

The Penn State Nittany Lions ground game is averaging 251 yards per contest, and Nicholas Singleton leads the way with 408 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, Penn State is allowing 11.5 points and 226.5 yards per game. Jaylen Reed leads the Penn State Nittany Lions with 30 tackles, Abdul Carter has 3 sacks and Tony Rojas has 1 interception.

Why the Penn State Nittany Lions will win

Penn State has won each of its last 14 home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
UCLA has lost each of its last six road games against AP-ranked teams.
Penn State has covered the spread in 15 of its last 17 games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
UCLA has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games as an underdog against top-10 AP-ranked teams.
UCLA has lost the first half in each of its last three games against conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

Eight of UCLA's last nine October games against top-15 AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Each of Penn State's last four October games at Beaver Stadium has gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Penn State ranks 4th among FBS teams for yards allowed per game this season (226.5).
Penn State ranks 7th among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (11.5).
UCLA ranks 129th among FBS teams for H2 points per game this season (6.3).
UCLA ranks 128th among FBS teams for points per game this season (14.8).

UCLA vs Penn State Prediction

The UCLA Bruins aren't good, as they're 128th in scoring offense and 105th in scoring defense. Penn State has the ability to blow the doors off in this spot. However, UCLA played back-to-back games against ranked LSU and Oregon and lost those games by an average of 19 points. UCLA has covered its last 3 games as a double-digit underdog and hasn't been an underdog of 28 or more points since a 2018 game against Oklahoma. Also, a potential look-ahead spot for Penn State with USC on deck. Give me the four free touchdowns.