Sharps have been all over UCLA since the hurricane displaced LSU, and the line has dropped under the key number because of it. Let's take advantage because this is going to be a close game either way. Where LSU has an advantage for me is defensively, particularly in the secondary. UCLA's Dorian Thompson-Robinson had a field day against Hawaii with huge windows and wide-open receivers. That will not be the case Saturday. With two new coordinators in tow, Ed Orgeron will get back to what he does best: team management. He will have the Tigers in the right mindset so their talent can win out over any perceived advantages the Bruins may have due to unforeseen circumstances.

Don't look now but LSU might in fact be playing a home game Saturday...in Los Angeles. Ed Orgeron and his Bayou Bengals aren't the only ones who made the trip and well, quite frankly, the UCLA crowd is no match for the Tiger faithful. Expect the play on the field to match. Geaux Tigers.

Bettors are overreacting to UCLA's victory over a subpar Hawaii team, dropping this line from -7 to -2.5. LSU still has the more talented roster by far. My computer model says the Tigers cover 64 percent of the time and win by an average of eight, so you're getting strong value at this number.

Chip Kelly might finally have something brewing in his fourth season at UCLA after beginning 10-21. The Bruins have the luxury of having a game under their belt with most of their starters (19) back from last season, and they bullied their way last week to a 44-10 win against Hawaii powered by the running game. LSU has mother nature issues on its mind at home, questions at QB and questions about a defense that allowed 492.0 yards and 34.9 points per game last season. I took UCLA plus the points.

Glad we waited on this one as it has fallen from LSU -3.5 to -2.5. I get it as UCLA did look good last week in routing a solid Hawaii team and the Tigers had to relocate to Houston this week due to Hurricane Ida. I would probably take the Bruins on the first-half line, but then the superior talent wins out. There will also be a ton of LSU fans there for what that's worth. Believe it or not, this is only the Tigers' second all-time game in California and first at the Rose Bowl. They are 10-3 ATS in their past 13 on the road. UCLA is 1-9 ATS in its past 10 after a win of at least 20 points.

Tigers coach Ed Orgeron learned from his 2020 mistakes by hiring coordinators who will run similar systems to the ones who helped them win the 2019 national title. UCLA's defense won't be able to get pressure on quarterback Max Johnson due to an experienced LSU offensive line, and Johnson -- along with the help of star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte -- will pick it apart. LSU is a legitimate threat to win the national title, and that will start in the Rose Bowl with an emphatic win over the Bruins.