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The UCLA Bruins take on the Maryland Terrapins in College Park, Maryland, on Saturday, Sept. 26. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network.
UCLA is favored by -1.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -125. Maryland, meanwhile, enters as a +1.5 underdog and is +104 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 56.5 total points.
Here’s my UCLA vs. Maryland prediction and college football pick for Saturday, September 26.
UCLA vs Maryland Prediction
- UCLA vs. Maryland Pick: UCLA -1.5
My Maryland vs. UCLA best bet is on the Bruins to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page and make sure to download the Action Network app for more picks and analysis!
UCLA vs Maryland Odds
| UCLA Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -114 | 56.5 -110o / -110u | -125 |
| Maryland Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -106 | 56.5 -110o / -110u | +104 |
- UCLA vs Maryland point spread: UCLA -1.5 (-114), Maryland +1.5 (-106)
- UCLA vs Maryland over/under: 56.5 (-110o / -110u)
- UCLA vs Maryland moneyline: UCLA -125, Maryland +104
UCLA vs Maryland College Football Preview
UCLA Bruins Betting Preview: Encouraging Start
Last season was a shocker for the Bruins. After starting off to a total disaster, UCLA dismissed coach DeShaun Foster and eventually brought in former James Madison head coach Bob Chesney to run things.
So far, Chesney has the boys buying in, with three consecutive convincing wins against Cal, San Diego State and Purdue.
While quarterback Nico Iamaleava doesn’t look like the player he was projected to be, he's critical for this season’s early success. He has completed 63% of his passes and has generated solid chemistry with receivers Brian Rowe Jr. and Semaj Morgan, who has a pair of touchdowns already.
However, the ground is where UCLA butters its bread.
The Bruins lead the nation in Rushing Success Rate and PPA while ranking 25th in explosiveness. Wayne Knight has been the guy who has generated the majority of the carries, and he has been on fire.
In 39 carries, Knight has recorded eight rushing touchdowns and 8.8 yards per carry. Not only that, but Anthony Woods has been exceptional, running at 7.9 yards per carry and a trio of touchdowns.
Defensively, there’s some work to be done, but it appears that the Bruins have a star in linebackers Sammy Omosigho and Jalen Woods. Omosigho, in particular, has already recorded 33 tackles, with three sacks and four forced fumbles.
Maryland Terrapins Betting Preview: Cracks in the Armor
Malik Washington is back for his second year, and things are looking the way they should.
After completing passes 57% of the time last season, Washington has registered a 71.6% completion rate. He has also thrown for six touchdowns and has yet to be picked off thus far.
Washington has a plethora of options to throw to, with his favorite option being Chris Durr Jr., the junior receiver, who had himself a day last week in the 35-26 loss to Virginia Tech.
Durr hauled in 12 receptions and posted 102 yards and two touchdowns.
Kaleb Webb has shown some efficiency beyond Durr, averaging 15 yards per catch, as has Na'eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding.
Passing the ball hasn’t been a problem for the Terps, but I think there should be some concern for the run game.
Now, the majority of Maryland’s touchdowns have come on the ground, but both Iverson Howard and Harry Dalton III, who get the majority of the carries, each average less than four yards per carry.
Maryland also needs to get it figured out defensively.
In the first two games, it looked really good against Hampton and UConn, but facing Tech exposed the Terps. The Hokies outscored them, 27-14, in the first half.
Additionally, Maryland ranks 90th in Passing Success Rate allowed and 111th in passing down Success Rate allowed.
UCLA vs Maryland Pick, Betting Analysis
The lines indicate that this game is going to be exceptionally close, giving UCLA the 1.5-point edge.
I do think there’s reason to believe that the Bruins can pull this off. Before joining the Big Ten, the Bruins rarely visited the East Coast, but in 2024, they went to Rutgers and won 35-32.
UCLA was a mess last season, but I think there may be something under the tutelage of Chesney.
Chesney has a history of success, albeit limited success in the FBS, leading James Madison to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history.
He’ll have the Bruins ready for this matchup.
I think UCLA matches up extremely well against the Terps, especially on the defensive end. Maryland’s offense is pretty predictable, favoring the pass, and then running the ball closer to the goal line.
After Maryland’s solid start to the season, I think this will end up being a roller coaster season. Right now, UCLA is the better option.
Pick: UCLA -1.5
UCLA vs Maryland Betting Trends
