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UCLA Bruins vs Arizona State Sun Devils preview, prediction, betting odds, live stream info

By Patrick Schmidt

Sep 13, 2014; Boulder, CO, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils running back D.J. Foster (8) runs with the ball for a touchdown during the first half against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field . Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2014; Boulder, CO, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils running back D.J. Foster (8) runs with the ball for a touchdown during the first half against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field . Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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UCLA Bruins vs Arizona State Sun Devils

Last year’s game won on the road by the Sun Devils was the difference in the Pac-12 south division as Arizona State went to the Pac-12 Championship Game against Stanford after defeating the Bruins, 38-33 on the road last year, and now get UCLA in Sun Devil Stadium in a Thursday night affair.

Date: Thursday, Sept. 25
Start time: 10:00 p.m. ET
Location: Tempe, AZ
Stadium: Sun Devil Stadium
TV info: Fox Sports 1
Live stream: Fox Sports Go
Radio: UCLA broadcast here. Sun Devils broadcast here.

Keys to Victory

UCLA is off to a 3-0 start but the Bruins haven’t looked like the dominant team many anticipated int he preseason when Jim Mora’s team was a popular pick for the College Football Playoff. The Bruins have won games by eight, seven and three games this season and have yet to play a complete game this season.

To win in Tempe on Thursday, UCLA needs a dominating effort from Eric Kendricks, Myles Jack and the UCLA defense against the nation’s No. 7 scoring offense and Brett Hundley needs to get protection from his suspect offensive line and support from the No. 73 rushing offense.

Arizona State will be without their star quarterback Taylor Kelly who injured his foot in the win against the Colorado Buffaloes and will see Mike Bercovici make his first career start. He is 9-of-17 passing with one touchdown and 79 yards in relief of Kelly this year.

Bercovici will have to rely on all-everything running back D.J. Foster who ranks among the rushing leaders in the nation with 510 yards and five touchdowns and is second on the team with 11 receptions for 139 yards and one touchdown. Foster and wide receiver Jaelen Strong need to have big days for Bercovici.

Betting Odds

Point spread: UCLA -3
Moneyline: -167
Over/Under: 59.5

Prediction

Each team has started undefeated but hasn’t played a high level of competition so this will be a nice measuring stick for both as they look for their biggest win of the season and make a big statement in the Pac-12. Arizona State won by five last year and on the road, so you know UCLA will be looking for a bit of revenge this year and they won’t have to contend with Kelly who was the Pac-12 second team quarterback last year, and see a quarterback making his first career start. UCLA has played down to their competition three straight games, but this is the game the Bruins play a 60-minute game and improve to 4-0.

Final Score: Bruins: 38, Sun Devils: 34

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