COLLEGE BLOWOUT GAME OF THE WEEK
50 Units
UCLA (-17) over Washington State
Prediction: UCLA by 35-42
Starting Time: 10:15
TV: FSN
Weather in Los Angeles: Slight chance of rain, game-time temperature of 60%, relative humidity of 80% and wind out of the SW at 7 MPH
Comments: If one looks at the statistical data on both these teams, one would have to take the position this is a dead-even game, but it is hardly that. These teams have much in common and all of it is deceiving. UCLA is 1-3; Washington State is 1-4. On offense UCLA averages just 19 points and gives up 40.5. On offense Washington State scores 19 and gives up 44. Both defenses are a disaster. But the figures lie as to the quality of these teams. UCLA opened the season with a 27-24 upset of Tennessee, then lost at undefeated BYU 59-0, lost at home to Arizona 31-10 and last week took a very good Fresno State team to the money before losing, 36-31. As for Washington State, the Cougars have beaten only I-AA Portland State and in their two games against PAC-10 teams have lost 66-34 at home to California and 63-14 at home to Oregon. My figures say UCLA woke up against Fresno, even though it lost, and is now ready to play its best game. I simply do not believe there is any “best” anywhere for Washington State. The Cougars will again start at quarterback red-shirt freshman Marshall Lobbestael who is getting on-the-job training after injuries forced him into the starting lineup. Now for the icing on the cake, Washington State is -13 in the turnover department this season—and this is a revenge game for UCLA which lost in Pullman last year, 27-7. One can dig as deep as one wishes and find it difficult to see anything but a UCLA blowout in this one.