Arizona State @ UCLA preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 26, 2010 ) UCLA 34, Arizona State 55

THE STORY: Ironically, it took the suspension of four UCLA receivers to put a little firepower in the Bruins’ pistol offense. UCLA couldn’t pass, so it turned to the running game led by quarterback Kevin Prince and the Bruins bowled over California last week. For as poorly as the Bruins have played for much of this season, they are still in the thick of things in the Pac-12 South Division as they host No. 18 Arizona State in a crucial conference game. The winner has the inside track to a berth in the inaugural conference championship game.

TV: Versus. LINE: Arizona State -8.5.

ABOUT ARIZONA STATE (6-2, 4-1 Pac-12 South): In a conference loaded with star quarterbacks, the Sun Devils’ Brock Osweiler doesn’t have to take a back seat to any of them. Osweiler has passed for 2,275 yards and 17 touchdowns and after the trio of Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley and Nick Foles enter the draft, he could be the Pac-12’s best next year. Osweiler was so good in last year’s game against UCLA that he decided to end his pursuit of a baseball career and concentrate solely on football. The Sun Devils took control of the South Division earlier in the season with a 44-21 victory over Southern Cal as Cameron Marshall scored three rushing touchdowns.

ABOUT UCLA (4-4, 3-2): The Bruins' quartet of receivers, who missed last week’s game because of their involvement in a brawl against Arizona, are all expected back this week. Without them, UCLA went to a run-heavy attack, and Prince led all ball carriers with a career-high 163 yards on 19 carries in the 31-14 victory. Derrick Coleman scored three touchdowns as UCLA capitalized on four California turnovers. In fact, UCLA’s Tevin McDonald showed he had the best hands on the team with three interceptions. Prince completed only nine passes but it still was the Bruins’ best offensive display of the season.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Arizona State has won three of the last four meetings, including last year’s 55-34 blowout when the Bruins led 17-0.

2. UCLA’s Jerry Rice Jr. caught the first passes of his collegiate career last week. He is the son of the Pro Football Hall of the Fame receiver.

3. Arizona State has already played a much tougher schedule than UCLA, including games against Oregon and USC.

PREDICTION: Arizona State 35, UCLA 21 - The Bruins actually had a chance to move into a tie for the South lead two weeks ago, but were hammered by Arizona 48-12. Arizona State is better than its state rival.