UCLA Football: Bruins Start Week As Big Betting Favorites Over Deion Sanders, Colorado

Will UCLA remain undefeated at home?

Sitting at No. 23 in the AP Poll, your 5-2 UCLA Bruins look to continue its momentum with a win on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl against Deion Sanders and the upstart Colorado Buffaloes. 

The Bruins are coming off a 42-7 shellacking of the Stanford Cardinal. Returning home after two straight weeks on the road, UCLA now gets to host a Colorado team with some visible warts. The Buffaloes have a very solid passing attack. However, the offensive line is leaky, to say the least. Additionally, the defense hasn't been able to stop anyone. 

This isn't a good recipe for success against a Bruins' team that runs the ball well and possesses one of the best defensive lines in the country. 

Unsurprisingly, odds-makers do feel as if UCLA has a considerable leg-up in this contest. The early line puts UCLA as a 17-point favorite. 

UCLA is a 17-point favorite over Colorado.

Via @betonline_ag

— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) October 23, 2023

Colorado has something to prove here. Last week, CU enjoyed a bye. However, the week before saw the Buffs blow a 29-0 halftime lead -- at home -- before losing 46-43 against Stanford. 

It was certainly the low point in the Sanders era thus far. Now coming to the Rose Bowl, Colorado would love to nab a victory -- which would in essence put the team right in bowl contention.

There should be no shortage of star power present at this contest. Considering the game is in LA, along with the fact it's projected to be a sell-out Homecoming crowd, plenty of celebrities will be weaving in and out of the concourse -- and most likely on the field as guests of both teams.

How about this beautiful @UCLAFootball throwback jersey 🥶 pic.twitter.com/0hEpktPBp7

— UCLA Athletics (@UCLAAthletics) October 23, 2023

For UCLA, it went to Palo Alto and thumped Stanford by a sizable margin last Saturday. The most interesting aspect of the game is the fact that QB Ethan Garbers started over Dante Moore. Garbers played very well in the win, showing some mobility that Moore hasn't been able to do thus far early in his career.

With respect to Stanford, Garbers did torch Stanford...which means he likely won't face a defense as bad as the one he saw this past weekend.

The Bruins will hope to continue their rhythm on both sides of the ball before heading out on the road again for what likely will be a tough night game in Tuscon against the Arizona Wildcats.  

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