In two starts since filling in for the injured Josh Rosen, backup quarterback Mike Fafaul has posted relatively good numbers for the UCLA Bruins, converting nearly 60 percent of his passes to go with his eight touchdown passes. He has, however, thrown eight interceptions in his last 122 pass attempts, while the Bruins have lost their last three games (1-2 ATS).
Another loss is inevitable if the Fafaul keeps forcing tough passes and doesn’t start utilizing the team’s talented running backs in Soso Jamabo, Nate Starks and Bolu Olorunfunmi, all of whom have rumbled for more than 150 yards each along with seven touchdowns combined this season. The Bruins are the worst in the country with just 85.5 rushing yards per contest this season, but that shouldn’t matter if they can get at least one or two of those guys going.
UCLA’s passing game, meanwhile, has delivered nice results this season, ranking 12th overall in the nation. This team has four savvy pass-catchers in Darren Andrews, Nate Iese, Kenneth Walker III and Jordan Lasely who each have three or more touchdowns.
Well, as much as how efficient the Bruins have found success by passing, it’s going to be tough to get some positive results against Colorado’s defense, which is giving up 18.1 points and 307.8 offensive yards per game this season.
The Colorado Buffaloes found themselves on the wrong side of the box score in the last five meetings with the Bruins. This coming Thursday, however, Colorado is in a good position to put an end to that drought as it walks into this matchup coming off a pair of wins against Arizona State and Stanford, the third time this year that the Buffaloes have won back-to-back contests.
With the momentum—and obviously the crowd—on their side, the Buffaloes should have the energy to wreak havoc on both sides of the field. After all, they’ve been doing this throughout the season, piling up nearly 500 offensive yards per game and limiting opponents below 20 points a game.
The win against Stanford was an example of this all-around play, as Colorado had the advantage in total yards, 359-263, forced four turnovers and held the Cardinal without a touchdown. The Buffaloes also had an easy time running with the ball, as Phillip Lindsay managed to mount 131 yards on 12 carries and Kyle Evans added 14 rushes for 60 yards.
Colorado is 6-4 SU and ATS in its last 10 home games overall.
