UCLA Football: Bruins Heavily Favored Against San Diego State in Week 2
UCLA took care of business over the weekend in its season opener, upending Coastal Carolina by a score of 27-13.
It wasn't the cleanest game by any stretch. Ethan Garbers and Dante Moore combined to throw three interceptions, and a multitude of offsides penalties plagued the team.
Nonetheless, the Bruins did get the victory. The secondary picked off Grayson McCall twice, and the front seven combined for 10 TFL and 4.0 sacks. Additionally, Moore looked like the real deal on both of his TD throws -- especially when finding a streaking J. Michael Sturdivant down the field on a beautifully lofted toss.
Now, in Week 2, the Bruins will hit the road -- driving down the I-5 for a few hours to square off with the San Diego State Aztecs at Snapdragon Stadium.
The early line for the contest has come out. According to Action, UCLA opens as a -13.5 favorite over the Aztecs. The line might seem a bit much, considering the game is being played in San Diego. SDSU is 2-0 on the year, and the Bruins -- while 1-0 -- are still trying to sort out their complicated quarterback situation.
Brady Hoke's bunch won its season opener over Ohio by a score of 20-13. The Aztecs then narrowly defeated Idaho State by a score of 36-28.
On paper, neither performance was overly impressive. Still, this is a proud program with a good track record.
Kurt Mattix is one of the better defensive coordinators in the country that you've never heard of. QB Jalen Mayden is the team's leading rusher -- averaging nearly 10 yards per carry through the first two games.
The Aztecs -- including Mayden -- will utilize up to five rushers on any given afternoon. Additionally, Washington transfer TE Mark Redman is a legitimate NFL prospect (he caught 2 TDs in the opener).
UCLA will have one more non-conference game (versus North Carolina Central) at home before starting its conference schedule on the road versus Utah.
