UCLA Bruins vs. Texas Longhorns Betting Odds: Analysis and Prediction

The last time UCLA ran into a team from the Big 12, things didn't go too well.

The unsuspecting Bruins got blitzed by the Baylor Bears in the Holiday Bowl two Decembers ago. In fact, UCLA is just 1-3 both straight up and against the spread in its last four games against the Big 12.

The Bruins hope to turn those trends around when they take on Texas on Saturday night in Arlington, and they are favored to do so.

Point Spread

The Bruins opened as six-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark, and it was bet to 7.5 points by Wednesday. (Line updates and matchup report can be found here.)

Why the UCLA Bruins Can Cover the Spread

The Bruins are off to a 2-0 start but are 0-2 ATS because they've just been toying with their first two opponents. UCLA opened with a 28-20 victory at Virginia, leading early 21-3, never trailing but coming up short against an 18-point spread.

The Bruins then defeated Memphis 42-35, answering every Tigers foray with a score of their own. UCLA fell behind 7-6, then immediately scored on a 62-yard Brett Hundley TD pass. The Bruins fell behind again 14-13 but retook the lead within a minute.

And in the fourth quarter, just after Memphis tied the game at 35, UCLA regained the lead within three minutes. When they put it all together, and they will, the Bruins will be very tough, on both opponents and point spreads.

Why the Texas Longhorns Can Cover the Spread

The Longhorns are 1-1 both SU and ATS in their first two games under new head coach Charlie Strong, winning and covering against North Texas but losing at home to BYU.

So Texas, with 15 starters back from an 8-5 team of last season, might still be experiencing the learning curve with the new coaching regime. The 'Horns only trailed the Cougars last week 6-0 at the half before the wheels came off, helped along by four Texas turnovers.

But Coach Charlie Strong knows what he's doing. He was a winner at Louisville, and he'll mold this program into his own. It might take some time, but improvement could be seen as soon as this week.

Smart Pick

UCLA has survived its first two games without playing its best. And if the Bruins put on a good performance this Saturday they should win and cover.

Texas is going through some growing pains at the moment, and last week, with David Ash out, the Longhorns were forced to give a sophomore QB his first career start.

UCLA may have struggled against the Big 12 over recent seasons, but this might be the best Bruins team in many years. The pick here is with the favorite, minus the points.

Trends:

• Texas 7-2 SU last nine games vs. Pac-12
• Texas is 2-4 ATS in its last six games

Note: All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark, all quotes gathered first-hand unless otherwise noted—check out Twitter for injury updates and line move updates and get the free odds tracker app.