UCLA vs. Michigan State prediction, pick, odds, spread: Bruins look to continue surprising unbeaten start — SkimNews
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- SportsLine favors Michigan State +14 against No. 9 UCLA after 10,000 simulations per Week 8 game, with the forecast calling for a low-scoring game won by UCLA’s defense.
- UCLA hosts Michigan State at 3:30 p.m. ET on October 24 carrying a 6-0 overall mark, a 4-0 Big Ten record and the last undefeated status across the Big Ten and SEC.
- Ty Dieffenbach threw 264 yards against Wisconsin, marking UCLA’s season high, after Nico Iamaleava suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 6.
- Wayne Knight ran for 23 yards on 13 carries against Wisconsin as UCLA’s ground game fell to 120 yards, following 140 against Oregon and back-to-back 200-yard outings to open the season.
- Michigan State sits at 2-5 overall and 0-4 in Big Ten play after its last two losses came by four combined points, seeking to avoid a first 0-5 conference start in back-to-back seasons.
- UCLA enters with a 28.4% College Football Playoff probability; a win raises it to 35.2%, a loss drops it to 11.4%, and a 5-1 or 6-0 finish is likely required.
- Bob Chesney is the second FBS head coach to start his tenure 6-0 with a team coming off a nine-loss season, matching Indiana’s 6-0 opening in 2024.
Why it matters: UCLA’s playoff probability is 28.4% entering Saturday, rises to 35.2% with a win and drops to 11.4% with a loss. Ty Dieffenbach’s 264 passing yards against Wisconsin offer the clearest counterpoint to a rushing attack that fell to 120 yards after Nico Iamaleava’s season-ending knee injury.
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