The UCLA Bruins take on the Northwestern Wildcats in Evanston, Illinois. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. EDT on BTN.
Northwestern is favored by 6.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -225. The total is set at 44.5 points.
Here’s my UCLA vs. Northwestern prediction and college football picks for Saturday, September 27, 2025.
UCLA vs Northwestern Prediction
- UCLA vs. Northwestern Pick: UCLA +6 or Better
My Northwestern vs. UCLA best bet is on the Bruins to cover as road 'dogs. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
UCLA vs Northwestern Odds
| UCLA Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -110 | 44.5 -110o / -110u | +185 |
| Northwestern Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -110 | 44.5 -110o / -110u | -225 |
- UCLA vs Northwestern point spread: Northwestern -6.5 (-110), UCLA +6.5 (-110)
- UCLA vs Northwestern over/under: 44.5 (-110o / -110u).
- UCLA vs Northwestern moneyline: UCLA +185, Northwestern -225
UCLA vs Northwestern Picks
This is as gross as it gets, and I could look very dumb if UCLA checks out or this new staff doesn't handle the long trip well after the bye.
However, I'm willing to take a shot at this number and buy low on the Bruins after their horrific home loss to New Mexico, since I don't see much of a difference between these two teams from a power ratings perspective, even after downgrading UCLA significantly to start the year.
From all the reports I have read and heard from those close to the program, everybody remains engaged, and the practices have actually been much more functional than they were under the previous regime. It's probably a non-material upgrade with Tim Skipper at the helm.
I mean, it would be hard for things to be much worse with all of the sloppiness over the Bruins' first three contests (fifth most penalties per game).
Plus, the extra time during the bye week should really help a brand new offense (which will likely see wide receiver Rico Flores make his season debut) under coordinator Tino Sunseri, who runs a fairly complex scheme. The Bruins should have success on the ground and with the short passing attack against a Northwestern defense hellbent on preventing explosive plays, which isn't really a strength of this UCLA offense.
Can the offensive line hold up against the Northwestern pass rush? Can Nico make the simple throws? Will the defense, which has been beyond dreadful, actually care and tackle?
Those are all valid questions.
It can be challenging to pinpoint the floor of these extreme underperforming teams early in the season in the new college football world, but I'm going to trust my numbers against a Northwestern squad that isn't really built to blow out teams with one of the least talented Power 4 rosters.
Quarterback Preston Stone hasn't looked sharp with four Big Time Throws to 10 Turnover Worthy Plays already. It also doesn't help that the Wildcats have only one reliable receiver and have already lost their leading rusher to a season-ending injury.
Since 2005, Northwestern is just 13-23-1 (36.1%) ATS as a home favorite of more than six points, failing to cover by nearly a field goal per game on average.
Pick: UCLA +6 or Better
