UCLA vs Fresno State Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Nov 27, 2024 11:06 PM ET

The first season under Deshaun Foster needs to close with something positive.

A three-game winning streak got the team back into the thick of the season including nice wins over Iowa and Nebraska, but losses to Washington and USC ended any bowl hopes. It’s a rebuild year, though - 5-7 would look a lot better than 4-8.

After a rough stretch of four losses in six games, Fresno State stopped its slide with a clutch 28-22 win over Colorado State to get bowl eligible. Beating UCLA would take the first year under Tim Skipper up a few notches.

UCLA vs Fresno State: How to Watch and Game Preview

Date: Saturday, November 30, 2024
Game Time: 3:30 pm ET
How To Watch: Big Ten Network
Venue: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Teams: UCLA (4-7), Fresno State (6-5)
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Why Fresno State Will Win

Fresno State is connecting on just about everything over the last few weeks.

Mikey Keene has been on fire, pushing for close to 80% passing on this four game run, and he needs to stay hot against a UCLA pass defense that’s 0-6 when allowing quarterbacks to connect on 60% of their passes or more.

Why UCLA Will Win

Fresno State struggles when teams start to run well. The Bulldogs got hammered on by Michigan and ripped throw by Air Force and UNLV. Get to over 100 yards on Fresno State and good things happen.

UCLA doesn’t always get grinding - it’s more of a passing team - but when the running game works, it wins. But …

UCLA vs Fresno State: Who Will Win?

UCLA’s running game hasn’t worked all that often. It hit Iowa hard and was effective against Nebraska, and that’s it.

Oddly enough, the Bruins are just 1-4 at home, but that’s about to change. It’ll hold up defensively, control the clock offensively, and end this up-and-down first run under Foster.