| UCLA's Johnathan Franklin and Shaq Evans celebrate a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats. (AP) |
UCLA (7-2, 4-2 Pac-12) at Washington State (2-7, 0-6 Pac-12)
Kickoff: Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network)
Spread: UCLA by 14.5
Watchability: If you saw Titanic, and cheered for the iceberg, you might enjoy this game.
Shining Stars: UCLA -- RB Johnathan Franklin. Franklin's recently acquired school record for career rushing yards is easy to be considered as an award for attrition, as Franklin has been the Bruins' starting back now for 3.5 years. He's become a true force this season, and he could tack on another 700-plus yards to the career mark. Washington State -- S Deone Bucannon. Mired in relative obscurity up in the Palouse, Bucannon is putting together a big season. He ranks fourth in the conference in tackles per game and has added four interceptions, which is tied for third in the country.
Who could steal the show: UCLA -- WR Shaquelle Evans. Evans is having a nice season as the Bruins' go-to receiver, and although QB Brett Hundley has spread the ball around, Evans has put up some decent numbers. Against a Washington State defense that has been passed on up and down the field, Evans could find a couple openings deep. Washington State -- WR Gabe Marks. With leading receiver Marquess Wilson suspended for the game after storming out of a team practice Sunday, Marks has the chance to step up. The freshman has been reliable, totaling 477 yards, and against a UCLA defense that has shown a weakness at times against the slant and deep passes, Marks could be off.
You going? Ranking the road trip: A frozen Pullman to watch an absolute demolition? Yikes.
Magic number for UCLA: 514.89. The Bruins are amassing yards at an impressive clip, considering they averaged fewer than 390 yards per game last year. What a difference 120 more yards a game can be.
Magic number for Washington State: 29.11. The Cougars rank last out of 120 FBS teams in rushing with fewer than 30 yards a game.
The game comes down to: UCLA's defense hounding the quarterback. The Bruins have turned up the heat under defensive coordinator Lou Spanos, with 33 sacks. With Anthony Barr, Datone Jones and Cassius Marsh getting better by the game, Jeff Tuel will have to be on the lookout.
Prediction: UCLA 45, Washington State 16
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