Laying the points with UCLA looked like the easy call. The guys noted that the Bruins are 9-0 straight up and 9-0 against the spread going into this one. UCLA was a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 47.5 when the guys taped on November 10. Kickoff is Friday, November 13 at 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET in Pasadena, CA. Only Ryan took that easy side, though, and the full argument is on the College Football Picks Week 11 episode.
Illinois vs UCLA Odds
UCLA was a 10.5-point favorite over Illinois with a total of 47.5 when the guys taped on November 10. Illinois was read at +310 on the money line on the show.
Our Picks
- Ryan Kramer (@KramerCentric): UCLA -10.5
- Sean Green (@SeanTGreen): Illinois +10.5
- Colby Dant (@TheColbyD): Illinois +10.5
Sean was the first to lean toward the dog. He called this the ultimate get-up spot for Brett Bielema and doubted the Rose Bowl would be rocking, even with UCLA this good. Then Colby cut in about the playoff rankings, and the game went on hold. Colby could not see how an undefeated UCLA ranks behind a two-loss team. He pointed out that the Bruins have won four road games and have not played an FCS opponent. Sean noted they have covered every game and offered a solution: let the gamblers set the rankings.
Ryan brought it back to the game and laid the points with UCLA. Sean admitted you feel stupid betting against this team. Ryan asked what would have happened to anyone who faded UCLA every week, and Sean answered: down massive units. That was enough for Ryan.
It was not enough for the other two. Colby had faded UCLA two straight times and made it three, saying the Illini are playing good ball. He sees UCLA winning a close one while Illinois covers. Sean took Illinois +10.5 too. His view is that UCLA wins by running the ball and playing great defense without asking much of quarterback Dieffenbach. That formula works, he said, but it is not built to cover 10.5 points.
Colby pushed back on that. He said Dieffenbach went 8 of 16 for 303 yards in UCLA’s previous game, and Sean conceded the back-to-back 75-yard bombs. Neither of them changed sides. Ryan stayed on UCLA.
Hear the full breakdown on the College Football Picks Week 11 episode, or listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Watch every game on YouTube, and download the SGPN app at sg.pn/links. See all our College Football Picks.
