UCLA vs Arizona Pick: Pac-12 After Dark Odds
Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: Noah Fifita (Arizona)
It's time to dive into UCLA vs Arizona odds and picks for Saturday night's Pac-12 After Dark showdown.
UCLA Bruins vs Arizona Wildcats Odds
| UCLA Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -115 | 49.5 -110o / -110u | -145 |
| Arizona Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -105 | 49.5 -110o / -110u | +120 |
UCLA heads south to Tucson to take on a surging Arizona team that has surpassed all expectations for this season.
The Bruins have also been a pleasant surprise and remain firmly in the Pac-12 race as the calendar turns to November.
This game embodies Pac 12 After Dark in its purest, so I would highly recommend finding a TV late Saturday night. It's still stunning to think that November will mark the final month of Pac-12 football.
Let's break down where the betting value lies with UCLA currently sitting as a short favorite. \
Chip Kelly has won a lot of games over the years due to an elite offense. Surprisingly enough, the defense has been the driving force for the 2023 UCLA Bruins.
First-year DC D'Anton Lynn, who came over from the Ravens in the offseason, has done an unbelievable job taking over the defense.
Aside from the 36-24 loss at Oregon State, the Bruins have held every other opponent to 17 points or less.
There really isn't a weakness at any level of this defense, and it's created plenty of turnovers in recent weeks.
Offensively, it's been a bit of a QB carousel for the Bruins, with top recruit Dante Moore getting some starts early in the year and struggling to take care of the ball.
Ethan Garbers will get the nod Saturday night, and his first two games have been promising — granted they came against Colorado and Stanford.
Kelly will want to get the running game going to take some responsibility off of Garbers, but that will very difficult against a Wildcats defense that's stout against the run.
There are very few teams in the Pac-12 as balanced as Arizona.
When Jayden de Laura went down with injury, many thought this offense would take a significant step backwards.
Instead, enter freshman Noah Fifita. The youngster has taken outstanding care of the football, has been using his legs to make plays outside the pocket and has shown great command of the offense.
Couple that with some very dynamic offensive schemes from Jedd Fisch, and it makes sense as to why the Wildcats put up 40+ in back-to-back weeks against USC and Washington State.
On the other side of the ball, Arizona has been stingy against the run and is not allowing big plays.
Oregon State is arguably the most physical rushing team in the league, and last week, Zona more than hold its own in the trenches against the Beavers.
Getting pressure on Garbers will be key, as he's looked uncomfortable when the pocket isn't clean.
UCLA vs Arizona
Betting Pick & Prediction
Arizona continues to fly under the radar and is getting a bit disrespected in the market.
I view these teams as pretty close to even, so I will gladly back the home team getting a field goal.
The Wildcat faithful have started to get behind Fisch and this team, so expect a good atmosphere Saturday night.
Garbers is still a bit unproven on the road, and the Arizona defense will make it difficult for him throughout.
Give me the Wildcats +3 in a game I believe they have a great chance of winning outright.
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