Ucla Bruins vs Indiana Hoosiers Picks and Predictions September 14th 2024

At 7:30 ET, the Indiana Hoosiers and UCLA Bruins will face off at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 14th. The game will be broadcast on NBC, and Indiana comes in with a 2-0 record, while UCLA is 1-0. The over/under line is sitting at 46.5 points, and Indiana is the -3-point favorite on the road. The money line odds are -154 for Indiana and +128 for UCLA.

Indiana vs. UCLA Key Information

• Teams: Hoosiers at Bruins
• Where: Rose Bowl Pasadena
• Date: Saturday, September 14th
• Betting Odds IND -154 | UCLA +128 O/U 46.5

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The Hoosiers Can Win If…

Indiana is off to a strong start this season, moving to 2-0 after a dominant 77-3 win over Western Illinois. This game had no betting lines, but Indiana’s offense exploded for 77 points, while their defense allowed just a field goal, holding Western Illinois to three points.

The Hoosiers wasted no time, jumping out to a 28-0 lead after the first quarter. Western Illinois managed to score a field goal in the second quarter, but Indiana led 42-3 at halftime and continued to pull away in the second half, outscoring Western Illinois 35-0 in the final two quarters.

Indiana’s offense was unstoppable in their 77-3 win, racking up 703 total yards and 33 first downs. The Hoosiers’ ground game was dominant, with 325 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, while their passing game added 378 yards and three scores.

Kurtis Rourke was efficient at quarterback, completing 88.2% of his passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns. Justice Ellison led the rushing attack with 117 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 13 yards per carry. Elijah Sarratt was the top receiver, recording 137 yards on six receptions.

Indiana’s defense was dominant in their 77-3 win, holding Western Illinois to just 121 total yards. The Hoosiers limited the Leathernecks to 12 rushing yards on 26 attempts and allowed only 109 passing yards on 13 completions. Indiana’s defense also came up with two interceptions in the game.

• The Indiana Hoosiers have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three games. In terms of betting, the team went 2-1 ATS in these matchups. Their over/under record in these matchups is 2-1.
• Indiana has put together a record of 3-7 in their last ten games (regular season). Their record against the spread in this stretch is 5-5 to go along with an over-under mark of 7-3.

The Bruins Can Win If…

UCLA is looking to build on their season-opening win on the road against Hawaii. The Bruins, who were -13.5 point favorites, won the game 16-13. This was a narrow victory, and UCLA didn’t cover the spread. The over/under line was set at 52.5 points, but the game finished with just 29 combined points, resulting in an under.

UCLA took a 10-0 lead in the first half, but Hawaii closed the gap in the third quarter, making it 13-10 in favor of UCLA. The Bruins added a field goal in the fourth quarter and held Hawaii scoreless to move to 1-0 on the season.

UCLA’s offense, led by quarterback Ethan Garbers, put up 343 total yards in their 16-13 win over Hawaii. Garbers threw for 272 yards, completing 50% of his passes, and connected with Rico Flores Jr. for 102 yards, the most on the team.

The Bruins’ offense moved the chains 19 times but struggled to establish the run, gaining just 71 yards on 20 carries. Garbers also led the team in rushing, with 47 yards on seven attempts. UCLA’s passing attack accounted for 272 yards and one touchdown, but Garbers was also picked off twice, finishing with a passer rating of 60.42.

UCLA’s defense will be looking to improve after giving up 227 passing yards and one touchdown in their most recent game. Despite this, the Bruins’ defense did come up with two interceptions. Overall, UCLA allowed a total of 278 yards and 16 points, with 51 of those yards coming on the ground.

• Over their last three regular season games, the UCLA Bruins have gone 1-2 straight up. In these matchups, they ended with an ATS record of 0-3 and an over-under mark of 0-3.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the UCLA Bruins have gone 5-5 straight up. In these matchups, they ended with an ATS record of 3-7 and an over-under mark of 3-7.

The Lean

With Indiana being the -3 point favorite, we like UCLA’s chances to cover the spread in this week three matchup. The over/under line is set at 46.5 points, and our projection of 44 total points suggests that taking the under is the best play. The projected final score for this game is 23-21 in favor of Indiana, so taking UCLA with the points looks like a solid bet.

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In Big Ten Debut, UCLA Aims to Contain Indiana’s High-Powered Offense

For the first time in school history, UCLA will play a conference game outside of the Pac-12 as they face Indiana in Pasadena, Calif., for both teams’ Big Ten opener on Saturday. This marks a new chapter for UCLA football as the Bruins (1-0) aim to make a strong start in their new conference.

UCLA’s Defensive Focus After Shaky Start

A Narrow Win, but Defensive Promise

UCLA is coming off a narrow 16-13 victory over Hawaii on August 31. While the Bruins secured the win, the offense struggled under first-year head coach DeShaun Foster, failing to score on four red-zone opportunities. However, UCLA’s defense shined, holding Hawaii to just 1.8 yards per carry and racking up five sacks.

To contain Indiana’s potent offense, UCLA will need a similar defensive performance, especially in the trenches, where their pass rush will be crucial to disrupt Indiana’s flow.

Indiana’s Dominant Start to the Season

Historic Offensive Output

Indiana (2-0) heads to Pasadena for the first time since the 1968 Rose Bowl, and they come in with plenty of momentum. The Hoosiers have allowed just 10 points across two home victories, including a record-setting 77-3 win over Western Illinois. Their 74-point rout set a school record for most points scored in a game.

First-year head coach Curt Cignetti, who arrived from James Madison, has quickly transformed the Hoosiers into an offensive juggernaut. Cignetti overhauled the roster and has Indiana clicking early in the season.

“The Rose Bowl has a lot of tradition,” Cignetti remarked. “For me and the team, it’s more of a business trip. Whether we’re playing in the Rose Bowl or a parking lot, it’s all the same.”

Key Players to Watch

Kurtis Rourke Leading Indiana’s Charge

Indiana’s offense is led by Kurtis Rourke, a transfer from Ohio University and the MAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. Rourke has seamlessly transitioned to Indiana, completing 30 of 41 passes for 448 yards and three touchdowns in his first two games.

UCLA’s Defensive Stand

On the defensive side, UCLA must replicate their pressure from the Hawaii game. Their success in the Big Ten opener will hinge on controlling the line of scrimmage and limiting explosive plays from Indiana’s offense. If the Bruins’ defense can consistently pressure Rourke, they may disrupt the Hoosiers’ high-powered attack.

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What’s at Stake

Both teams come into this Big Ten opener with momentum, but the stakes are high for UCLA as they adjust to the competition in their new conference. Indiana, on the other hand, seeks to continue their strong start under Cignetti and solidify their place as a rising force in the Big Ten with a road win.

With UCLA’s defense showing potential and Indiana’s offense firing on all cylinders, this matchup is shaping up to be an exciting battle. The outcome could set the tone for both programs as they embark on their Big Ten journeys.