Free College Football Picks Today: California-Los Angeles Bruins vs Utah Utes 10/8/22

Two of the nation’s top scoring offenses are set to face off at Rose Bowl on Saturday, as the No. 11 University of Utah Utes (4-1, 2-0 Pac-12) head to take on the No. 18 University of California at Los Angeles Bruins (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12). The Utes are 3.5-point favorites, and the total is 64.5.Utah is coming off a one-sided 42-16 win over Oregon State at Rice-Eccles Stadium last Saturday, their fourth consecutive victory. Cameron Rising threw for 199 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran seven times for 73 yards and a touchdown. Devaughn Vele caught seven passes for 94 yards and a touchdown.UCLA won for the fifth straight game last Friday, beating No. 15 Washington 40-32 at Rose Bowl. Dorian Thompson-Robinson was 24 of 33 for 315 yards and three touchdowns. Zach Charbonnet carried 22 times for 124 yards and a touchdown and added three catches for 56 yards. Jake Bobo added two touchdowns of his own. He hauled in six receptions for 142 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Utes won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 44-24 victory in October, their fourth straight win against UCLA. Tavion Thomas had four touchdowns for Utah. Ethan Garbers tossed two touchdowns for UCLA.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Utes are averaging 42.0 points per game for the season, 11th in FBS, and they are facing a Bruins defense that has surrendered 20.8 PPG (38th). Meanwhile, UCLA has scored 41.4 points a game this season, 14th in the nation, and Utah is allowing 14.4 PPG (12th). The Utes rank 63rd in the nation in passing yards per game (250.2) and 25th in rushing (203.6). They will be facing a tough test on the ground, as the Bruins are sixth in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (80.4). Against the pass, UCLA is 78th (237.6). UCLA is 24th in the country in passing yards per game (293.2) and 21st in rushing (213.2). Utah’s defense has been stout through the air, as the Utes are 9th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (155.4). Against the run, the Utes are 47th (123.2).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through five games, Cameron Rising has thrown for 13 touchdowns (2 INT) and 230.6 yards per game to lead Utah in passing. In two away games this season, he has three TDs (2 INT) and an average of 238.0 yards passing. Tavion Thomas leads the team in rushing with an average of 59.0 yards a game over five games. He has four touchdowns on the ground. Devaughn Vele is the Utes’ leading receiver with 53.8 yards a game and three TDs. Dorian Thompson-Robinson has 11 passing touchdowns (1 INT) with 242.2 yards per game through five games to lead UCLA. In four home games this season, he has thrown for nine TDs (1 INT) and an average of 244.2 yards. Zach Charbonnet has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 104.3 yards a game through four games. He also has been valuable as a receiver, accumulating 35.8 yards a game through the air. He has five touchdowns. Jake Bobo has been a key target in the Bruins’ aerial attack. He has three touchdowns and a 72.6 yard per game average through five appearances.