Utah Running Utes vs
UCLA BruinsPredictions & Preview

Utah vs. UCLA College Football Showdown Set for Week 1 of 2025 Season

Week 1 of the 2025 college football season is set to feature several exciting matchups on Saturday, August 30, including a highly anticipated showdown between former Pac-12 rivals Utah and UCLA. The Utes and the Bruins will face off for the first time since 2023, with Utah holding a dominant record of 6-1 both straight-up and against the spread in their last seven meetings. As kickoff approaches at 11:00 PM ET in Pasadena, CA, the Utes are favored by 5.5 points on the road with a total of 51.5 points. For a more detailed analysis of this game and other NCAAF picks for Week 1, be sure to check out our Utah vs. UCLA prediction.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Running Utes -210 | Bruins +176
• Spread: Running Utes -5.5 (-110) | Bruins +5.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 50.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Utah will win straight-up is 68%.

Utah Running Utes

The Utah Utes had a challenging inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference, finishing with a 5-7 record and a 2-7 conference play record. Head coach Kyle Whittingham, who has been with the team since 2005, faced his third losing season in 11 years. The team struggled offensively in 2024, ranking low in points scored, passing yards, and rushing yards. Senior QB Cameron Rising dealt with injuries, leading to a shaky quarterback situation. The Utes have a new signal-caller in Devon Dampier, who had a successful sophomore year at New Mexico. The team also acquired New Mexico's offensive coordinator, Jason Beck. Despite the offensive challenges, the Utes relied on their defense, which ranked well in points allowed, passing yards, and rushing yards. While they lost DE Van Fillinger, their defense remains strong with talented players.

UCLA Bruins

In 2024, the UCLA Bruins joined the Big Ten Conference and finished their first season with a 5-7 record, going 3-6 in conference play. Under offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, the Bruins struggled on offense, ranking near the bottom in points scored, passing yards, and rushing yards. Tino Sunseri has been brought in as the new offensive coordinator to improve the offense for the upcoming season. Sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who transferred from Tennessee, is expected to lead the Bruins' offense after a successful season with the Volunteers. Despite offensive struggles, the Bruins relied on their defense in 2024, with standout linebacker Carson Schwesinger being selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. UCLA will look to improve both sides of the ball in the upcoming season.

University of Utah Expected to Have Edge over UCLA in Trenches, But Bruins Have Potential to Cover Spread

The University of Utah's football team appears to have a slight advantage over UCLA when it comes to their performance in the trenches, as their lines have consistently delivered strong results over the years. While I anticipate a victory for the Utes against the Bruins, the challenge of covering a 5.5-point spread on the road should not be underestimated. Despite UCLA's robust run defense in 2024, the loss of Carson Schwesinger could potentially impact their performance in this area. However, with the addition of new RB Jaivian Thomas and quarterback Nico Iamaleava providing stability to the team's offense, the Bruins' ground game is expected to improve in the upcoming season. Ultimately, I believe that UCLA has the capability to slow down Devon Dampier and am therefore inclined to support the Bruins in covering the spread.

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