Rivers says go with UCLA minus the number against
Here is his analysis.
I can't make this a real pay type play because I truly just cannot trust this UCLA offense all the way across the country like this but in the end they should be too good for
Rick Neuheisel's team certainly has the superior athletes when compared to Temple and the bigger boys on defense that can make plays but the Bruins offense is anemic to scoring at times and therefore I just cannot go gaga over them here at RFK Stadium thousands of miles away from Cali.
Al Golden has really done a phenomenal job as the Temple head coach and I'm sure in due time he will move up the chain and become the head man at a much bigger program as he tried to do with these Bruins before they hired Neuheisel a few seasons back. His Owls are far from the dreck they used to be and should come to play today as a bowl is a Super Bowl to these kids so the motivation is definitely there for them giving them a slight advantage in that regard.
Temple had that nine game winning streak snapped in that last loss to Ohio that kept them from a potential conference championship so these guys can play but are they ready to really get it on with a superior program like a UCLA? My answer is just no and that is the bottom line here.
The Bruins have four All-Americans including a great kicker in Kai Forbath who can bomb away from anywhere. Freshman quarterback Kevin Prince has shown his youth at times and he has also been hurt his fair share as well. After some time off I think the signal caller will be alright today and be able to lead his boys to about 24 boys which should be enough for the win and cover.
UCLA is battle tested after playing the likes of Stanford, USC,
Again, the free pick is UCLA at the sportsbooks.
