Pac-12 Predictions: Week 5 Picks Against the Spread

Sep 26, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Soso Jamabo (1) runs the ball for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. UCLA won 56-30. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona State Sun Devils at UCLA Bruins

The Line: UCLA -13.5

UCLA stomped the Arizona Wildcats in week four, 56-30, in a game that did not even feel that close. The Wildcat defense looked powerless to stop the Bruins, and any hope of a comeback for Arizona ended with the concussion to starting quarterback Anu Solomon. Farther north, Arizona State was getting manhandled by the USC Trojans, 42-14, in a game that was 35-0 at halftime. Coaches are frustrated, players are frustrated, and Kirk Herbstreit looks ridiculous for picking them as a playoff team. Catch the game at 3:30 PM on Fox.

Keys To The Game:

Arizona State has a good defense, but their offense has cratered after the departure of former quarterback Taylor Kelley. The Sun Devils are eighth in the conference in total offense, and eleventh in scoring offense. UCLA is fourth in scoring defense and fifth in total defense. This is bad offense meets good defense. The Bruins have weathered the loss of several key players, and look poised to compete for a conference title. Look for UCLA to lean heavily on their fourth ranked rushing offense to pound on the tenth ranked Sun Devil rushing defense.

Prediction:

This will be another ugly loss for Todd Graham. Last year the Bruins blasted Arizona State and this game is going to look very similar. This Sun Devil team is not good, and unless UCLA implodes on Saturday, they will cruise to an easy victory.

Final score: UCLA 31, Arizona State 10.

Next: Oregon at Colorado