Prior to late spread Ws vs. USC and Nebraska, MSU had dropped 8 in a row vs. the line. They're also 0-7 vs. the points as a favorite since HC Jonathan Smith arrived last season from Oregon State. The offense remains choppy, with erratic QB Aidan Chiles pulled last week at Lincoln. Meanwhile, what to make of UCLA, out of nowhere to score that shocker over Penn State? We take the approach that it's a different Bruins team under interim Tim Skipper, who at least has the Bruins organized (which DeShaun Foster wasn't doing), and new OC Jerry Neuheisel might be unlocking QB Nico Iamaleava, who (on the field, at least) looks the second coming of Colin Kaepernick from his Nevada days. Play UCLA

This is a serious letdown spot for UCLA. Not only are the Bruins coming off an epic upset win over Penn State last week, but now they're traveling across country to face a Michigan State team desperate for its first Big Ten win.

Upon reflection, UCLA's straight-up win over Penn State last Saturday ranks among the biggest upsets of the modern era. It also did Michigan State a favor. The Spartans no longer are tempted to look past this game toward others. They know that Nico Iamaleava is a heckua QB. They know the new coaching kid on the block, beach-blond OC Jerry Neuheisel, can concoct an effective game plan. They will be prepared. If they take advantage of the early kickoff (9 a.m. PT for the Bruins) and the lowered spread, covering is foreseeable.