Penn State Nittany Lions vs UCLA Bruins Matchup

Check out our free UCLA Bruins vs Penn State Nittany Lions pick and preview for this CFB week 6 game in University Park. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this week 6 CFB matchup.

With a 4-0 record, the Penn State Nittany Lions are the heavy favorite going into their week six matchup against the UCLA Bruins. Kick-off is set for 12:00 ET at Beaver Stadium in University Park, and the game will be broadcast on FOX. The over/under line is currently at 44.5 points. The money line odds are -8131 for Penn State and +1997 for UCLA.

Bruins vs. Nittany Lions Matchup At A Glance

Sport: CFB
Teams: UCLA Bruins at Penn State Nittany Lions
Where: University Park at Beaver Stadium
Date: Saturday, October 5th
Betting Odds PENNST -27.5, UCLA +1997 | PENNST -8131 O/U 44.5

Bruins Preview:

UCLA enters Week 6 against Penn State with a 1-3 record, ranked 78th in our power rankings. Their chances of becoming bowl-eligible are just 2.5%. The Bruins are 0-2 at home and 1-1 on the road this season.

UCLA is 2-2 against the spread, with an average scoring margin of -16 points per game. They’ve been favored in just one game this season, going 0-1 ATS as the favorite and 2-1 ATS as the underdog.

The over/under line for this week is 44.5 points. UCLA’s games have averaged 45.5 points, with an average over/under line of 52.6 points. Their over/under record stands at 1-3 for the season.

Bruins Offense Breakdown

UCLA’s offense has struggled this season, averaging just 14.8 points per game, which ranks 93rd in the nation. They are also 100th in our offensive power rankings heading into week 6. Their third-down conversion rate is only 27.9%, and their ground game has been ineffective, with just 58.8 rushing yards per game.

Quarterback Ethan Garbers has thrown for 808 yards, but UCLA ranks 97th in passing yards per game. Garbers has three touchdowns and six interceptions, with a passer rating of 65. Leading rusher T.J. Harden has 125 yards, averaging 3 yards per carry. Rico Flores Jr. leads the receivers with 187 yards and one touchdown.

Bruins Team Defense

UCLA’s defense is coming off a game where they gave up 34 points in a 34-13 loss to Oregon. The Bruins allowed 434 total yards, including 278 passing yards and three touchdowns, though they did manage to force one interception.

On the season, UCLA’s defense is allowing 30.8 points per game. Opponents have averaged 291 passing yards per game, ranking UCLA 160th nationally, while the Bruins are 33rd in the country against the run, allowing just 108.2 rushing yards per game.

Nittany Lions Preview:

UCLA is 2-2 against the spread, with an average scoring margin of -16 points per game. They’ve been favored in just one game this season, going 0-1 ATS as the favorite and 2-1 ATS as the underdog.

The over/under line for this week is 44.5 points. UCLA’s games have averaged 45.5 points, with an average over/under line of 52.6 points. Their over/under record stands at 1-3 for the season.

Nittany Lions Offense Breakdown

Penn State’s offense is averaging 36.2 points per game, ranking 26th in the nation, and they are 18th in our offensive power rankings heading into week 6. Their run game has been the focal point, with 254 rushing yards per game on 42.5 attempts. Nicholas Singleton leads the team with 408 rushing yards, averaging 7 yards per carry, and has scored three touchdowns.

Quarterback Drew Allar has thrown for 864 yards with eight touchdowns and one interception, giving him a passer rating of 135. Penn State ranks first in passer rating nationally and is 10th in completion percentage, completing 71.1% of their passes. They are also 12th in third-down conversions, converting 51.2% of their attempts. Omari Evans leads the receivers with 217 yards and two touchdowns.

Nittany Lions Team Defense

Penn State's defense has been impressive this season, ranking 6th nationally by allowing just 11.5 points per game. They’ve also given up only 78.5 rushing yards per game, the 9th fewest in the country, and 154.5 passing yards per game, ranking 20th. Opposing quarterbacks have completed just 48.4% of their passes, the 8th lowest rate in college football, with a passer rating of 63.2.

In their recent game against Illinois, Penn State’s defense allowed just 7 points and 219 total yards. Illinois managed only 34 rushing yards on 32 attempts, while Penn State’s secondary gave up 185 passing yards and recorded one interception.

Bruins vs Nittany Lions Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

When looking at their past ten road matchups, UCLA has an ATS record of 5-5 while averaging 25 per game. The team went 6-4 overall in these games.
In their last ten games at home, the Penn State Nittany Lions have a straight up record of 8-2 while going 8-2 vs the spread. The team's offense averaged 36 points per game in these contests.
In their last three games as the betting underdog, the UCLA Bruins have a straight up record of 0-3 and an ATS mark of 2-1.
Although the Penn State Nittany Lions have a strong straight up record in their last five games as the betting favorite, they have not done as well vs the spread going 2-3.