The Maryland Terrapins take on the UCLA Bruins in Pasadena, California, on Saturday, Oct. 18. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on FS1.
UCLA is favored by 3 points on the spread with a moneyline of -160. Maryland, meanwhile, enters as a +3 underdog and is +135 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 52.5 total points.
Here’s my Maryland vs. UCLA prediction and college football picks for Saturday, October 18.
Maryland vs UCLA Prediction
Maryland vs. UCLA Pick: Under 52.5
My UCLA vs. Maryland best bet is on both teams to go under the total. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Maryland vs UCLA Odds, Spread
| Maryland Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -105 | 52.5 -110o / -110u | +135 |
| UCLA Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -115 | 52.5 -110o / -110u | -160 |
- Maryland vs UCLA Point Spread: UCLA -3
- Maryland vs UCLA Total: 52.5
- Maryland vs UCLA ML: Maryland +135, UCLA -160
Maryland vs UCLA College Football Betting Preview
Maryland Betting Preview: Passing Attack Back on Track?
Maryland comes into this matchup on a two-game skid, dropping each of its last two matchups to Big Ten opponents at home. Now, it must go across the country to take on UCLA, which has appeared to find itself over the past two weeks.
For the Terrapins, it all comes down to quarterback Malik Washington's ability to push the ball down the field. Maryland throws the ball at the sixth-highest rate in the country, and when it has run the ball, it's been abysmal.
So, while Washington is talented at running the Terps' uptempo Air Raid, they've also become very predictable. They now take on a UCLA defense that allows completions but not many big plays, ranking 67th in yards per pass allowed.
For Maryland, the key to success in this matchup is to get the passing game going on early downs. The Terrapins have struggled on third down and in the red zone.
With Washington averaging only 6.2 yards per completion, the Bruins defense could thrive if they can come down on intermediate passes.
As the sticks shorten, the edge goes to UCLA. The Bruins rank 56th in red-zone scoring percentage allowed, while the Terps are 81st offensively.
UCLA Betting Preview: Iamaleava's Star to Burn Out
UCLA's last two games have been impressive. They look like a brand new squad, unleashing an offensive barrage to upset Penn State and then continuing it in a rout of Michigan State.
Former five-star prospect Nico Iamaleava has finally started to show his potential. Over the last two weeks, he has completed 69% of his passes while averaging 7.2 yards per completion with a 5:0 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
That's not all. Iamaleava's mobility has been crucial as the team's leading rusher, and his legs helped him find paydirt three times against Penn State.
While these meteoric two weeks have been fun to watch, the Terrapins defense is stout. Maryland ranks 21st in yards per rush allowed and 17th in yards per pass allowed. They're also 23rd in sack rate.
It's clear Maryland has a big edge in the trenches, and they've been excellent at getting off the field. They rank 26th in opponent third-down conversion rate and 33rd in red-zone scoring rate.
Maryland vs UCLA Pick, Betting Analysis
At first glance, this matchup has the potential to be a high-scoring affair. Maryland moves fast with a talented passing attack, but a closer look shows its inefficiency limits its upside.
As for UCLA, its two-week turnaround has been incredible, but it's in for its toughest test yet against a Maryland defense that has all the tools to contain Iamaleava.
Take the under.
Pick: Under 52.5
