Iowa Hawkeyes vs
UCLA BruinsPredictions & Preview

Iowa vs. UCLA: Friday Night Matchup Preview and Predictions - UCLA Favored to Cover Spread

The Big Ten football season is in full swing with an upcoming Friday night matchup between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the UCLA Bruins. UCLA holds a slight edge in the head-to-head series, winning the last meeting in 1986. Iowa has a current record of 6-3, while UCLA is 3-5. The betting favorite is Iowa, opening at -6 and the current line is Iowa -5.5. Key players and recent performances will be analyzed before making Iowa vs. UCLA picks and predictions. Kickoff is set for Friday at 9:00 ET from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Hawkeyes -210 | Bruins +176
• Spread: Hawkeyes -5.5 (-110) | Bruins +5.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 44.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Iowa will win straight-up is 68%.

Iowa vs UCLA Stats

Iowa Hawkeyes

Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa Hawkeyes have had a solid start to the season, with a record of 6-3. After losses to Iowa State, Ohio State, and Michigan State, they have bounced back with wins over Northwestern and Wisconsin, including a surprising 42-10 victory over the Badgers. The team's offense is led by quarterback Cade McNamara and running back Kaleb Johnson, while the defense, though not as dominant as in previous years, still ranks 20th in overall defense. The team's power ranking is 72, with a ranking of 57 in offense and 25 in defense. They have a record of 6-3 and are 5-4 against the spread this season.

UCLA Bruins Analysis

In his first season as head coach of the UCLA Bruins football program, Coach DeShaun Foster is leading the team through a challenging transition into the Big Ten. Despite a 3-5 record, the Bruins have faced tough competition including top-ranked teams like Indiana, LSU, Oregon, and Penn State. Quarterback Ethan Garbers has been solid with 1,703 passing yards and 10 touchdowns, while Moliki Matavao and T.J. Harden have been key playmakers on offense. The defense, under coordinator Ikaika Malloe, has struggled this season, allowing 27.9 points per game and ranking 80th in the country. UCLA has a power ranking of 94 and ranks 127th in offense, averaging 17.43 points per game. Their defense ranks 100th, allowing 29 points per game. UCLA is 3-5 overall and 5-3 against the spread, with Iowa having gone 0-0 in their last three matchups against UCLA.

UCLA Favored to Cover Spread Against Iowa in Friday Night Matchup

Both teams are currently performing well, each with a two-game winning streak. My prediction for this weekend is UCLA to cover the spread. The unique circumstance of Iowa traveling across the country to play a Friday night game at 9:00 ET presents an advantage for UCLA. While Iowa relies heavily on establishing the run in their gameplay, UCLA has a solid rushing defense that may pose a challenge for them. Additionally, Iowa will be without their starting quarterback, further tipping the scales in favor of UCLA. Considering these factors, I am inclined to bet on UCLA as the underdog in this matchup.

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