No. 15 Washington at UCLA Odds, Prediction for Week 5

No. 15 Washington Huskies

The Huskies are rejuvenated in 2022 behind an absolutely loaded offense that can score with the best of them. After going 4-8 and 3-6 against conference opponents in 2021, the Huskies fired former head coach Jimmy Lake in favor of Kalen DeBoer. DeBoer previously led Fresno State to a 9-3 record last season and inherited a talented Huskies roster. He also brought in some key transfer portal additions before the season began.

QB Michael Penix Jr. has been lights out for Washington through their first four games, completing 92 passes for 1,388 yards, 12 touchdowns, and only one interception. The former Indiana Hoosier is starting to look like his 2020 self after a terrible 2021 season. He's joined by fellow transfer Wayne Taulapapa in the backfield. The former Virginia standout RB is averaging 6.4 YPC and scoring four total touchdowns.

This is an exciting time to be a Huskies fan. The team is not only 4-0 SU on the season, but they are also 4-0 ATS, so they are outperforming their expectations significantly.

UCLA Bruins

The Bruins also have a loaded offense that can put up points. UCLA has looked very impressive during Chip Kelly's fifth-year as head coach. Kelly's overall record is 18-25 as UCLA's head coach, however, he went 8-4 in 2021 and finished 6-3 inside the Pac-12. He's starting to build something at long last. He led the Bruins on a three-game winning streak to close out the 2021 season, scoring at least 42 points in each of those victories. The defense improved throughout last year and has been just as good in 2022, allowing 18 points per game to its opponents.

UCLA is led by QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who is a "super-senior" and is now in his fifth year with the Bruins. Thompson-Robinson has spent his entire career under the coaching of Kelly, who became a household name with his play-calling at Oregon. The Bruins spread the ball out on offense, with 14 players scoring at least one touchdown this season.

Running back Zach Charbonnet is averaging 6.8 YPC and has four rushing touchdowns. He's also a threat in the passing game, with eight receptions for 87 yards. RB Keegan Jones has been great as well, with 40 carries for 178 yards and a touchdown, while also hauling in six receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown.

UCLA is just 2-2 ATS this season, and that includes 1-2 at home.

My Prediction

The Bruins may be undefeated at 4-0, however, they are 1-2 ATS at home and only getting three points against the best team they have played all season. However, I'm also not sure how Penix Jr. will handle the environment during his first road game as a member of the Huskies, but he struggled on the road in 2021 with the Hoosiers. Penix went 1-2 SU and threw four interceptions with zero touchdowns across three road games against Iowa, Western Kentucky, and Penn State.

This game should be very close, but if you are giving me 3 points, I'll take the Bruins here at home.