UCLA vs. Kansas State Odds & Pick: September 4th 2010

UCLA vs. Kansas State
Pick: Kansas State -1.5 -110 odds
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UCLA has won five consecutive season openers, beating some pretty darn good teams in the process (Utah, Tennessee and Stanford, to name three). But the Bruins won’t have it easy as they travel to Manhattan to take on Bill Snyder’s Kansas State Wildcats to open up their 2010 campaign.

Rick Neuheisel’s squad was besieged with injuries in each of the last two seasons, and so far, this year is no exception. In fact, you could make an argument that no team in all of college football has been besieged with injuries and attrition more than UCLA has since the start of fall camp.

Starting quarterback Kevin Prince has been limited since the first day of practice, suffering from a slightly torn back muscle. There are legitimate concerns about Prince’s ability to shake off the rust, and throw tight, accurate passes against a live defense, without the full complement of practice time in recent weeks. And with UCLA looking to incorporate elements of the ‘Pistol’ offense in 2010 (called the ‘Revolver’ in UCLA terminology), Prince’s lack of practice time isn’t going to help their offensive efficiency here.

Prince’s injury is just the tip of the iceberg for the Bruins, with significant injury concerns on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The Bruins will be missing Xavier Su’a Filo (mission), Jeff Baca (academics), Nik Abele (neck) and Kai Maiava (ankle). Tackle Mike Harris has been suspended for the opener and Stanley Hasiek flunked out of school. Eddie Williams has missed a bunch of practice time with concussion issues, although he is expected to suit up.

The injuries and attrition don’t end there. Star DE Datone Jones – their only returning starter on the defensive line – broke his foot in practice. That’s bad news against a Kansas State offense that averaged 179 yards per game on the ground last year and returns star running back Daniel Thomas for his senior year.

Last year, when UCLA beat Kansas State 23-9 in Bill Snyder’s first test against a BCS opponent, star kicker Kai Forbath was the hero, nailing three long field goals. The 2009 Lou Groza Award winner (best kicker in college), Forbath has been unable to practice with a groin injury and may not be able to suit up here either.

Kansas State senior QB Carson Coffman won the starting job in camp, but his gameplay last year left much to be desired. The Wildcats suffered major graduation losses to their receiving corps as well – expect plenty of hand-offs to Thomas here. K-State went 5-1 at home last year (only loss to Missouri), and they have the capacity to get past this depleted UCLA roster on Saturday. 2* Take Kansas State (#172).

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