Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. UCLA Bruins Picks and Predictions, Saturday, November 8th, 2025
Use Code WWWC The Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten) and the UCLA Bruins (3-5, 3-2 Big Ten) will meet up in a nationally televised Big Ten battle on Saturday night in this Nebraska vs. UCLA prediction. These teams met last season, with UCLA winning 27-20 on the road. Nebraska just suffered a tough 21-17 loss against USC, covering the spread as 4.5-point home dogs. UCLA is coming off a bye week. Kickoff is set for 9:00 EST and can be found FOX. See below for our Nebraska vs. UCLA prediction, and keep up with all of our best NCAAF Betting Picks!
Nebraska Loses Raiola
The Nebraska Cornhuskers grabbed the number one quarterback prospect in the nation two years ago when they signed Dylan Raiola. He has been solid, but not excellent, for the Cornhuskers through his first season and a half, but his sophomore year was cut short last week against USC. Raiola broke his fibula in the game, and doctors later announced that is was a season-ending injury. The Cornhuskers still have plenty of talent and have won six games, but will need to regroup around a new presence at quarterback.
The Cornhuskers will now turn to TJ Lateef, who is a 6'1 freshman quarterback out of Compton, California, who is ready to take over this Nebraska offense. Lateef saw some cleanup duty in two early-season blowouts, but was thrown into the USC game after Raiola's injury. On the season, he has completed 16 of his 19 pass attempts, with one touchdown pass and no interceptions. Lateef is a capable runner and an athlete out of the pocket who can move the chains on the ground. Nebraska has one of the best running backs in the Big Ten, as Emmett Johnson has 1,002 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns already on the season. Johnson just ran for 165 yards against USC.
Their leading scorer has been 6'1 sophomore Nyziah Hunter, he leads the team with 38 catches for 555 yards and five touchdowns. Their defense has 15 sacks on the season, but no individual Cornhusker has more than two sacks so far. Their defensive unit has six interceptions, led by defensive back DeShon Singleton with two.
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Bruins Had Time to Regroup
The UCLA Bruins have had an up-and-down season, riding a roller coaster on their way to a 3-5 record. They began the season with four straight losses, including games where they were favored against UNLV and New Mexico. After their losing stretch, the Bruins were able to rattle off three consecutive wins in conference play against #7 Penn State, Michigan State, and Maryland. All the positive momentum came to a screeching halt, as they were buried 56-6 on the road against #2 Indiana. The Bruins were off last week and able to get extra time to gameplan for this matchup with Nebraska.
UCLA is led by their highly paid sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The 6'6 signal caller has great size and athleticism, and came over after a controversial season with Tennessee that ended with a contract dispute concerning NIL money. So far this season, Iamaleava has 1,468 passing yards with a 10-7 TD-INT ratio. He is a dual-threat quarterback who also leads the team in rushing with 388 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. When the Bruins do hand the ball off, senior back Jalen Berger has been their top performer with 249 yards and a touchdown on the season.
Kwazi Gilmer is their top receiver. The 6'2 sophomore is in his second season with the team and has 31 catches for 382 yards and two touchdowns so far on the year. Their defensive front has managed just six sacks through their first eight games, and just three interceptions, led by defensive back Scooter Johnson who has grabbed two picks.
Nebraska vs. UCLA Picks and Predictions
Spread pick for Nebraska vs. UCLA
- Nebraska +1.5 (5 units)
This matchup will see two quarterbacks with similar playing styles. Iamaleava is UCLA's quarterback and is trying to rebuild his reputation after leaving Tennessee. The problem for Iamaleava is that the entire offense depends on him, and Nebraska will load up their front line and force the sophomore quarterback into passing situations. Iamaleava's TD-INT ratio is only 10-7, and he is not quite dynamic enough of a runner for the Bruins to be happy that he is their top rushing threat. UCLA's defense has not done the team many favors; they only have six sacks and three interceptions through eight games, as the defensive unit has not been able to generate big plays. Nebraska is getting points here with Raiola out, but Lateef was another prized recruit who will now have a full week of preparation coming into this one. Nebraska has the better defense, and that will make the difference here.
Take the Cornhuskers plus the points.
Over/Under Pick for Nebraska vs. UCLA
- Under 45.5 (4 units)
This game will not be fought in the air. Both teams have running quarterbacks, and we will see more quarterback scrambles for short yardage than we will see completed passes down the field. Mobile quarterbacks always look good on paper, but they also try to extend plays too often, which can lead to sacks and stalled drives. Nebraska lost their starting quarterback, and are on the road here, they are going to play conservatively as they understand they have the stronger defense, and want to rely on their elite ground game with Emmett Johnson leading the way from his tailback spot. UCLA's offense has lacked consistency, and will not put up a big number here.
Take the under.
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