UCLA is 6-0, and the world can’t quite get on board just yet.
How many other Power Four teams are unbeaten? Miami, BYU, Texas Tech, and Utah. It’s not like UCLA is some smallish off-the-beaten-path university, but if Michigan was unbeaten right now, it would be the unquestioned No. 1 team in America. That goes for USC, Oregon, or any other program that was a big name going into the season.
Now UCLA has to keep proving itself week after week, and then the respect will follow.
Michigan State can’t create its own luck. It missed a two-point conversion to lose to Illinois, and last week had a potential game-winning field goal blocked in a 24-21 loss to Northwestern. Pat Fitzgerald’s team is trying hard, and it’ll bring the effort.
Michigan State vs UCLA: Quick Hits
- UCLA is on a nice run of four home games in five with Nevada up next before going to Minnesota.
- Michigan State gets a week off to get ready for the trip down the road to Michigan.
- UCLA won 38-13 last year and has won the last four meetings – including the 1966 Rose Bowl – going back to the 1965 opener. The Bruins are 4-3 all-time in the series.
How To Watch Michigan State vs UCLA
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: CBS
Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
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Why Michigan State Will Win
Michigan State is football plucky.
It doesn’t have the parts or the talent, but it keeps on pushing, trying, and finding ways to stay in games during this five-game losing streak. The ground game is averaging over six yards per carry over the last two games, with the style of play to get nasty against the Bruin defensive front.
On the other side, the Spartans have held up well against the run – Wisconsin is the only team to get 200 yards against this bunch.
Why UCLA Will Win
Ty Dieffenbach is just fine. The backup quarterback stepped in for an injured Nico Iamaleava against Oregon, and then last week hit 67% of his passes for 264 yards with a pick in the win over Wisconsin.
For Michigan State to stay in this, Dieffenbach has to start screwing up – he’s not going to force anything, though. Michigan State has forced just one takeaway over the last five games and just three on the year.
UCLA forced seven takeaways against Oregon, five against Maryland, and three against Purdue – it’ll win the turnover margin in this.
Michigan State vs UCLA Prediction, Betting Lines
Once again, Michigan State will fight the good fight and be within a drive or a big play away from looking like it’s about to take over, and then things will go wrong.
UCLA will keep pounding and pounding, and then Dieffenbach will take advantage with midrange throws to keep things moving. The Bruins will keep surviving and advancing.
UCLA 31, Michigan State 13
Latest Consensus Line: UCLA -14.5, o/u: 43.5
ATS Confidence (out of 5): 3.5
Must See Rating (out of 5): 3
Consensus line based on BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.