UCLA vs UNLV Prediction: Are the Bruins Really That Bad?

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 1:29 AM ET

There’s a chance that Utah is really amazing. Like, College Football Playoff-bound, Big 12-champion good. If that’s the case, UCLA might be as awful as it looked in the 43-10 home loss to open up the season.

That’s fine. It was a bad day. With New Mexico up next, and then a winnable game at Northwestern, there’s a real shot to get to 3-1 to start the year with a win in Vegas.

UNLV wasn’t great in the first two wins against Idaho State and Sam Houston, but it’s 2-0. That’s just the second time the program has started the season with two wins since 1999.

Road games at Miami University and Wyoming won’t be easy, but there are two weeks off after this to get ready for that. Beating a Big Ten team would be strong.

UCLA vs UNLV Game Preview: Big Game For the Bruin Offense

UCLA vs UNLV How To Watch

Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Game Time: 8:00 PM ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
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Week 2 Big Game Expert Picks

Why UCLA Will Win

Nico Iamaleava really is good.

He only completed 11-of-22 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown against Utah, but he led the team with 47 rushing yards, and when he had a moment to breathe, he showed off the special skills that could make the UCLA offense shine if he gets any help.

The UNLV defense hasn’t been anything special. It struggled to close against Sam Houston and had problems throughout against Idaho State. As lost as Iamaleava has a little time to work, all of a sudden, the offense will start to click. But …

Why UNLV Will Win

Can the UCLA offensive line keep 9 from getting popped?

Again, this is a Big Ten/Power Four team, not a Conference USA squad, but UNLV was terrific at getting into the Sam Houston backfield. The Rebels will have to take a few chances, and it still might not quite work.

That’s why the offensive side has to stay hot. Virginia transfer quarterback Anthony Colandrea has been good so far. He’s not Utah’s Devon Dampier, but he was accurate against Sam Houston and kept things consistently moving.

UCLA Should Get On Track, But It Won’t Be Easy

Yeah, Utah really is that good.

The UNLV offense will get out to a hot start, but UCLA’s defense will step it up as the game goes on. The embarrassment of last week’s game was bad, and the Bruins won’t let that happen again this week.

UCLA vs UNLV Prediction, Betting Lines

UCLA 34, UNLV 23
Line: UCLA -2.5, o/u: 54.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Must See Rating: 2.5

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This article first appeared on College Football News and was syndicated with permission.

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