The UCLA Bruins and the Northwestern Wildcats meet in week 5 college football action from Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a UCLA Bruins vs. Northwestern Wildcats prediction.
UCLA Bruins Recap
The UCLA Bruins come into this game looking to bounce back from their 35-10 loss at the hands of New Mexico last time out to sit at 0-3 this season. After this game, UCLA will head home for a game against Penn State.
Bruins Still Hunting For First W
Nico Iamaleava has thrown for 608 yards, 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions on 63.9% passing while also leading UCLA in rushing with 139 yards and a touchdown on the ground and Anthony Woods also has 117 rushing yards as well this season. Kwazi Gilmer has a team-high 16 receptions for 174 yards while Mikey Matthews has 10 grabs for 123 yards as well this season. On defense, Isaiah Chisom has a team-high 37 total tackles including 17 solo tackles while JonJon Vaughns has 35 total tackles including 13 solo tackles.
Why the UCLA Bruins will win
- Northwestern has lost each of its last five home games against conference opponents.
- UCLA has won three of its last four September road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- UCLA has covered the spread in five of its last six games as a road underdog.
- Northwestern has failed to cover the spread in 11 of its last 14 September games as a favorite.
Northwestern Wildcats Recap
The Northwestern Wildcats come into this game looking to rebound from their 34-14 loss at the hands of Oregon last time out to fall to 1-2 this season. After this game, Northwestern will take on Louisiana-Monroe at home.
Wildcats Looking For Some Consistency Out Of The Gate
Preston Stone has thrown for 541 yards, 3 touchdowns and 6 interceptions on 59.3% passing while Caleb Komolafe has a team-high 150 rushing yards and a touchdown. Cam Porter and Joseph Himon II also have 137 rushing yards apiece while Griffin Wilde leads Northwestern’s receivers with 15 grabs for 213 yards so far this season. On defense, Robert Fitzgerald leads Northwestern with 27 total tackles while Mac Uihlein has 21 total tackles and a pair of interceptions.
Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win
- UCLA has lost each of its last six games in September.
- The favorite has won each of Northwestern’s last six games.
- UCLA has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six games.
- The home team has covered the spread in five of Northwestern’s last six games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of UCLA’s last four games in September have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Four of Northwestern’s last five games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
UCLA Bruins vs. Northwestern Wildcats Prediction
I’m on the under in this game. Two teams with below average quarterback play and two teams that have had trouble putting points on the board so far this season, this could honestly be a 20-13 ugly kind of Northwestern game that we’ve seen from the Wildcats in the past. I think this is just going to be a low-scoring slopfest for 60 minutes so give me the under here.