Nebraska football vs. UCLA: Odds, prediction, and how to watch

Believe it or not, the most important game for Nebraska football under head coach Matt Rhule is on Saturday, as the 2-5 UCLA Bruins come to Lincoln Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska football is 5-3. The Huskers started 5-1 but have lost two in a row, including a heartbreaker to No. 4 Ohio State last Saturday.

The Huskers are still searching for that sixth win, and this game against UCLA is a golden opportunity. The Bruins are struggling this season. They are fresh off a road win over Rutgers and UCLA needs to win, too, if it wants to rally for a bowl game, which it needs to win four of five to qualify for.

However, UCLA isn’t dealing with a bowl drought that dates back to 2016. For a program that once went 32 years without more than three losses, it’s been hard to stomach.

Rhule has made progress as the head coach and for the second straight season, Nebraska football sits at 5-3 heading into November with four winnable games. Nebraska could go 4-0. It could also go 0-4.

It all starts Saturday against UCLA in a must-win game for Matt Rhule and this program. It’s time to turn the tide once and for all. With that in mind, here’s a look at the odds, how to watch, and our prediction for Nebraska vs. UCLA.

Nebraska football vs. UCLA odds

I have seen a few different lines for Nebraska against UCLA but according to DraftKings, the Huskers are a 6.5-point favorite for Saturday’s game. The over/under is 41. The moneyline for UCLA is +195 while it’s -238 for Nebraska.

How to watch Nebraska football vs. UCLA

Kickoff: 2:30 CST

Where: Lincoln Memorial Stadium

TV: Big Ten Network

Radio: Huskers.com

Streaming: Fox Sports APP/FUBO TV

Nebraska vs. UCLA prediction

UCLA has one of the worst offenses in college football. At least according to the stats so far this season. The Bruins average 17.4 points per game which ranks 127th in college football. They also average just 2.7 yards per rushing attempt and don’t have a single back who has rushed for over 200 yards this season. Two of the top three rushers have more receiving yards than rushing yards, which tells you a lot about UCLA’s offense.

The defense allows 29 points per game (99th) but is stout against the run, allowing just 3.6 yards per attempt. UCLA forces 1.0 turnovers per game, while giving the ball away 1.7 times per game.

QB Ethan Garbers is averaging 247 passing yards per game. He’s got eight touchdowns compared to nine interceptions but four of those TD passes came against Rutgers. Garbers completed 32-of-38 passes for 389 yards and four touchdowns — against the same defense Nebraska scored 14 points against.

Still, the Bruins rushed 31 times for 95 yards in that game. They also allowed Rutgers to gain 422 yards of total offense. The 35-point outing was also the only time this season the Bruins have scored more than 20 points.

The Bruins allow 268 passing yards per game. Opposing teams are competing 69 percent of their passes and averaging 1.6 TD passes per game. On top of that, UCLA has just four interceptions and 10 sacks in seven games.

So the Huskers should be able to take advantage of that. The running game will be essential. But if the Huskers can run against Ohio State, they should be able to run on just about anyone.

Frankly, I think the defense dominates. The Blackshirts will play possessed for the rest of the season. Dylan Raiola plays a clean game. Nebraska rushes for over 100 yards and clinches a bowl berth on Saturday with a 31-17 win.

Prediction: Nebraska 31, UCLA 17. 

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