Our Penn State vs. UCLA betting preview delves deeply into the most recent odds and top picks for the Week 5 showdown.
Against the Illinois Fighting Illini in Week 4, the Penn State Nittany Lions overcame an early scare. The only time the Illini managed to score in Happy Valley on Saturday was when Illinois scored on its first possession, coming down the field.
The Nittany Lions gladly accepted the victory and now look forward to Week 5 versus the UCLA Bruins, even if they failed to cover the 19-point spread at the top PA sportsbooks.
The Nittany Lions are strong favorites in the PA sports betting landscape, and Penn State will have another opportunity to defend their home field. In short, on Saturday afternoon, Penn State should easily defeat UCLA at home.
Penn State is running the Big Ten
In their victory over Illinois on Saturday, the Penn State Nittany Lions demonstrated why they are regarded as having one of the top running games in the nation. Both Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, their two-headed monster, rushed for scores, while tight end Tyler Warren also contributed to the score.
Allen finished the season with 289 yards on 53 tries (5.5 yards per attempt), including 102 yards on 18 carries. Despite scoring on a 20-yard reception in Week 1 in West Virginia, the junior’s touchdown against Illinois was his first on the ground this season.
All season long, Singleton, a junior as well, has shown promise. After gaining 94 yards on 16 attempts on Saturday, the Pennsylvania native is now up to 508 yards on 53 carries (7.7 average). Three of the running back’s five touchdowns have come from rushing, while two have come from receiving.
With 251 yards per game so far this season, Penn State has amassed more than 1,000 yards on the ground. UCLA may be in for another subpar showing on Saturday after a good start to the season. Last week, the Bruins gave up at least 100 rushing yards for the third consecutive game as the Oregon Ducks rushed for 153 yards.
The Nittany Lions have +450 odds to win the Big Ten this season, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Penn State vs. UCLA odds
Early on, it’s clear that Penn State wants to create a big impression this season. After defeating the Mountaineers as 7.5-point favorites in Week 1, the Nittany Lions have been heavy favorites for the past three weeks.
With a moneyline price of -8000 at DraftKings Sportsbook, Penn State is currently a -27.5-point favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook. The game’s total is also set at 44.5.
UCLA’s previous two games have been against ranked opponents, and they have given up at least 34 points in each of their last three games. This week, expect an offensive explosion from the Nittany Lions.
Penn State player props vs. UCLA
This season has seen the Nittany Lions go into overdrive, and there’s no reason why they should stop this week at home. In the week before the game, Fanatics Sportsbook will have some fantastic player props.
Jordan James, the running back for Oregon, carried 20 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown last week. Josh Williams of LSU ran for a touchdown as well, but in the week prior, he only managed 62 yards on 13 carries.
Nicholas Singleton is currently averaging more over 100 yards every game, so expect him to surpass his Rushing Yards prop. Additionally, he has scored in every game this season, including a touchdown run and reception against Bowling Green in Week 2.
Kayton Allen is also worth considering. Last week, he made his first appearance on the ground in the end zone, and Penn State should try to keep splitting carries, especially in what should be a decisive victory for the Nittany Lions.
Penn State vs. UCLA prediction
With the No. 7-ranked Nittany Lions as overwhelming home favorites at -28 on the point spread at DraftKings Sportsbook, this game shouldn’t be close.
Since winning 16–13 in Hawaii to start the season (as 13.5-point favorites), the Bruins have suffered losses of 34–13, 34–17, and 42–13. Last week, Penn State’s offense struggled a little, scoring just 21 points, but they started the season with 34, 34, and 56 points.
Penn State should score a lot of points in this game, while UCLA finds it difficult to score many.