Ucla Bruins vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Picks and Predictions October 12th 2024

Minnesota comes into this one with a 3-3 record, while UCLA is just 1-4 on the season. The game is set for 9:00 ET at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, and you can catch the action on BTN. The over/under line is 40.5 points, and the Gophers are the -5.5-point favorites on the road. The money line odds are -213 for Minnesota and +175 for UCLA.

Minnesota vs. UCLA Key Information

At 3-3 this season, Minnesota faces UCLA in Week 7. The Golden Gophers are ranked 51st in our CFB power rankings, with a 53.5% chance of becoming bowl-eligible. They’ve gone 2-2 at home and 0-1 on the road so far.

Minnesota has a +10 average scoring margin and a 3-1-1 record against the spread. They’ve been favored in just one game this season, and their ATS record as the favorite is 1-0.

Their over/under record stands at 2-3, with an average line of 42.4 points. This week’s line is set at 40.5 points, and their games have averaged 41.3 points per contest.

Heading into week 7, Minnesota’s offense ranks 76th in our CFB offensive power rankings, averaging 25.7 points per game. Max Brosmer has thrown for 1,263 yards, leading the passing game, and the team ranks 21st in completions, averaging 20 per game. They are 31st in passing attempts.

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Brosmer has six touchdowns and four interceptions, with a passer rating of 90. Minnesota ranks 92nd in rushing, averaging 117 yards per game. Darius Taylor has 402 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Daniel Jackson leads the receivers with 362 yards and one touchdown.

Heading into this week, Minnesota’s defense is ranked 23rd nationally, allowing just 15.7 points per game. They are also ranked 3rd in the country in passing yards allowed, giving up just 114 yards per game, with opposing quarterbacks posting a passer rating of 49.7, the 4th-lowest in the nation.

In their recent game against USC, Minnesota’s defense allowed 17 points, giving up 373 total yards, including 173 rushing yards and 200 passing yards. They also forced two interceptions in the game.

UCLA enters Week 7 with a 1-4 record and only a 2.6% chance of becoming bowl-eligible, according to projections. They are ranked 74th in our CFB power rankings and have gone 0-2 at home so far this season.

The Bruins have been favored in just one game this season, and their average scoring margin is -16 points per game. Against the spread, they are 3-2, with a 2-1 record on the road and 1-1 at home.

UCLA’s over/under record is 1-4, with their games averaging 44 points. This week’s line is 40.5, and their average over/under line this season has been 51.7 points.

UCLA’s offense has struggled this season, averaging just 14 points per game, which ranks 95th nationally. They are also 103rd in our offensive power rankings heading into week 7. Their third-down conversion rate is only 31%, and they are 125th in rushing, with 65.6 yards per game on the ground.

Quarterback Ethan Garbers has thrown for 808 yards, but he has six interceptions and just three touchdowns, resulting in a passer rating of 65. UCLA is 96th in passing yards per game, averaging 197.4. T.J. Harden leads the rushing attack with 151 yards, averaging 3 yards per carry.

UCLA’s defense has been strong against the run, ranking 26th nationally by allowing just 104 rushing yards per game on 29.4 attempts, which is the 20th fewest in the country. In their recent game against Penn State, they held the Nittany Lions to 87 rushing yards but gave up 237 passing yards.

Opposing quarterbacks have averaged a 109.2 passer rating against UCLA, completing 70.5% of their passes for 280.2 yards per game, ranking UCLA 155th in the nation against the pass. This season, the Bruins are allowing 30 points per game.

Our projected score for this week seven matchup between UCLA and Minnesota is 25-16 in favor of UCLA. They are currently the underdogs at +5.5, but we expect them to not only cover the spread but also win the game straight-up.

With the over/under line set at 40.5 points, our projection of 41 points suggests that taking the over is the best play for this game.

Minnesota Looks to Avoid Letdown Against Skidding UCLA

Minnesota is riding high after pulling off one of its most significant victories in recent memory, defeating then-No. 11 Southern California 24-17 in a thrilling game last week. However, the challenge now is to avoid the common trap of a letdown after a big win. The Golden Gophers (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) will head to Los Angeles on Saturday to take on UCLA Bruins (1-4, 0-3 Pac-12) in their first meeting in more than four decades.

Minnesota’s Victory Over USC Brings Momentum and Focus

Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck was understandably proud of his team after their upset win over USC, a night he described as “electric” in Minneapolis. The victory snapped a two-game losing streak and gave the Golden Gophers a much-needed confidence boost.

Fleck, however, is keen to ensure that the victory doesn’t lead to complacency. Following back-to-back losses to Iowa and then-No. 12 Michigan, Fleck has been impressed with his team’s resilience. He highlighted the competitive nature of the Big Ten and how important it is to stay focused week after week.

“We play in a very, very competitive league where every week is going to be a dogfight,” Fleck said. “We’ve been close in a lot of games, and those losses can sometimes take a team and turn them into a downward spiral. This team’s never done that. They just continue to come back and work throughout the week.”

The win over USC was especially encouraging for Minnesota, as they were able to bounce back after tough losses and grind out a victory. The team now needs to keep that momentum alive as they face a struggling UCLA team on the road.

UCLA’s Struggles and Search for Consistency

On the other side of the matchup, UCLA has had a rough start to their season. The Bruins have lost four consecutive games, including three in a row against ranked opponents: LSU, Oregon, and Penn State. First-year head coach DeShaun Foster knows his team has faced some tough competition, but he believes UCLA has shown flashes of what they’re capable of, particularly in their most recent loss to Penn State.

“We’re just trying to put together a full game,” Foster said. “And hopefully it will be this week that we do that.”

The Bruins’ struggles have come from inconsistent play on both sides of the ball. While they’ve had moments of positive play, they have been unable to sustain that level of performance throughout an entire game. Foster is hopeful that UCLA can finally put it all together this week in front of their home crowd.

Key Players to Watch

Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer has been solid this season, passing for 1,263 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions. His steady play has helped the Golden Gophers stay competitive in a tough Big Ten schedule. Brosmer’s connection with his receivers will be crucial as they look to exploit a UCLA defense that has struggled at times against quality opponents.

On the ground, Minnesota’s top running back Darius Taylor has been a key part of their offense. Taylor has rushed for 402 yards and five touchdowns on 73 carries, providing a consistent and reliable option for the Gophers. His ability to control the pace of the game and keep the chains moving will be vital in helping Minnesota maintain control.

For UCLA, quarterback Ethan Garbers has had an up-and-down season. He has thrown for 808 yards and three touchdowns but has struggled with turnovers, tossing six interceptions. If the Bruins are going to have any chance against Minnesota, Garbers will need to cut down on the mistakes and manage the game more effectively.

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In the backfield, T.J. Harden leads UCLA with 151 rushing yards and one touchdown. While the Bruins’ ground game has been underwhelming, Harden will need to step up and take some pressure off Garbers, especially against a Minnesota defense that will be looking to force mistakes.

Avoiding the Letdown

While Minnesota will be favored heading into this matchup, the challenge of avoiding a letdown after an emotional win is real. Coach Fleck has stressed the importance of maintaining focus and preparing for every game with the same level of intensity. The Golden Gophers have shown they can bounce back from adversity, but now they must prove they can handle success as well.

UCLA, meanwhile, will be desperate to turn their season around. With a four-game losing streak hanging over them, the Bruins will be hungry for a win, and they can’t be underestimated despite their struggles.

The game will be a test of Minnesota’s ability to carry over the momentum from their big win and continue their push toward a successful season. For UCLA, it’s a chance to regroup, find consistency, and salvage what has been a challenging start to the year. Both teams have something to prove, and fans can expect a hard-fought battle on Saturday.