Dave's College Football Pick ATS: 9/19/09 Kansas State at UCLA

UCLA (2-0) vs Kansas State (1-1)

Line: UCLA -13

UCLA is coming off a 19-15 win over Tennessee and stands 2-0 on the season. While the Bruin offense has struggled to gain yardage, they have been able to score 52 points in their two games. Quarterback Kevin Prince will not be available for this game however as he suffered a fractured jaw in the Tennessee game.

The Bruin defense has led the charge in the first two games and will be leaned on heavily for the next few weeks while the offense finds it's way. Opponents are averaging just 14.5 points a contest against UCLA.  Not only did the defense hold Tennessee to 208 yards, they recorded four turnovers.

Kansas State lost on the road last week to UL-Lafayette in a game that surprised many, but won us some money. Much like the Bruins, the Wildcats have been strong on defense the first two weeks of this season. The offense has struggled to replace Josh Freeman at quarterback.

Carson Coffman has been ineffective in running the offense and is working behind a line with only one member having any experience. Coach Bill Snyder has a history of playing a balanced, yet quarterback driven offense and the Wildcats have failed thus far to be effective.

The question here is will anyone score? Both defenses are stout, but the UCLA offense has found a way to get what it needs. On defense I would put the teams at about equal strength. The nod goes to UCLA on offense as I question if Kansas State can clear 10 points in this game. The special teams of the Wildcats has been horrible and the only reason the UMASS game was so close. Kansas State has had punts blocked, returned for touchdowns and field goals missed.

This is a game Bill Snyder never would have scheduled and for good reason. Kansas State is in dire need of improvement, and heading off to the Rose Bowl for a non-conference game is not the way to make positive steps while guiding an inexperienced team towards the Big 12 regular season. One way or another, UCLA gets it done here.

Dave's PIck: UCLA -13

Be sure to sign up for our FREE WEEKLY FOOTBALL PICKING CONTEST WITH CASH PRIZES