UCLA at Northwestern - 2025 Matchup Preview
UCLA logo UCLA Bruins at Northwestern WildcatsNorthwestern logo
Saturday, September 27th 2025 (3:30 PM EDT)
Northwestern -6 (45.5) (-218)  Open: -5.5
Northwestern 17 - UCLA: 14  (Big Ten)

 
Bruins (3 - 9) (4 - 8 - 0)
Coach Tim Skipper (Int) (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 18 - 33 (17 - 32 on Road)
Record Prediction: 3 - 9 (#117)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 2)
Future: (Elite: 6) (Good: 2) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
UCLA coming off BYE
NW coming off BYE
Our Line: Northwestern -8.5  (SP+ NW -11)

Projected Score: UCLA: 19 - NW: 27 (46)
NW Win prob: 66% | Cover: 50%
UCLA Travel: 1734 miles, 2 hrs behind
Wildcats (7 - 6) (8 - 4 - 1)
Coach David Braun (12 - 13)
Avg Score : 23 - 20 (27 - 12 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6.7 - 6.3 (#71)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
Losses: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Future: (Elite: 4) (Good: 2) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
 
UCLA's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 UCLA vs Utah+6.550.5L 10 - 43ON
Sat 9/6 UCLA at UNLV-2.554.5L 23 - 30UN
Fri 9/12 UCLA vs New Mexico-15.552.5L 10 - 35UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 UCLA at Northwestern+6.045.5L 14 - 17UY
Sat 10/4 UCLA vs Penn State+24.548.5W 42 - 37OY
Sat 10/11 UCLA at Michigan State+7.051.5W 38 - 13UY
Sat 10/18 UCLA vs Maryland-3.552.5W 20 - 17UN
Sat 10/25 UCLA at Indiana+26.553.5L 6 - 56ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/8 UCLA vs Nebraska-1.545.5L 21 - 28ON
Sat 11/15 UCLA at Ohio State+33.546.5L 10 - 48ON
Sat 11/22 UCLA vs Washington+10.551.5L 14 - 48ON
Sat 11/29 UCLA at USC+21.059.0L 10 - 29UY

Total: Elite: 7, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 6, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 1, Poor: 1

Predictions for UCLA's Schedule
Northwestern's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Northwestern at Tulane+6.547.5L 3 - 23UN
Fri 9/5 Northwestern vs Western Illinois-30.548.5W 42 - 7OY
Sat 9/13 Northwestern vs Oregon+25.550.5L 14 - 34UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Northwestern vs UCLA-6.045.5W 17 - 14UN
Sat 10/4 Northwestern vs UL Monroe-12.543.5W 42 - 7OY
Sat 10/11 Northwestern at Penn State+20.546.5W 22 - 21UY
Sat 10/18 Northwestern vs Purdue-3.047.5W 19 - 0UY
Sat 10/25 Northwestern at Nebraska+7.544.5L 21 - 28OY
BYE WEEK
Fri 11/7 Northwestern at USC+14.554.5L 17 - 38ON
Sat 11/15 Northwestern vs Michigan+10.041.5L 22 - 24OY
Sat 11/22 Northwestern vs Minnesota-4.041.0W 38 - 35ON
Sat 11/29 Northwestern at Illinois+7.044.5L 13 - 20UY
Fri 12/26 Northwestern vs Central Michigan-13.543.5W 34 - 7UY

Total: Elite: 5, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 4, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 0

Predictions for Northwestern's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
UCLA#97 (.12)42% (75)18.245% (55)3.06 (45)14040% (95)1802.98 (124)#122 (.25)50% (135)33.453% (135)48% (127)4.61 (133)65.51.10.8
NW#83 (.15)43% (59)23.446% (48)2.97 (65)15542% (68)1683.21 (114)#73 (.17)45% (117)19.847% (121)44% (100)3.37 (43)32.31.51.2
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
UCLA#99 (.14)39% (112)34% (131)2.47 (132)8743% (56)2423.15 (123)#68 (.16)46% (110)45% (83)47% (120)4.45 (123)68.91.41.1
NW#129 (.02)37% (123)39% (113)2.63 (124)9936% (116)1863.02 (127)#57 (.15)45% (106)44% (80)46% (117)3.74 (64)38.81.51.3



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UCLA Offense1218.216.841.9%2.981.1173201401804.547%51%45%40%16%.12
NW Defense1319.812.445.3%3.371.2 - - - - - 52%46%47%44%15%.17
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UCLA Defense1233.432.250.3%4.610.8 - - - - - 54%45%53%48%12%.25
NW Offense1323.426.843.1%3.211.5183231551684.851%47%46%42%17%.15

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
UCLA1229:1117.337%48%7.565.51.10.83.30.8026.4
Northwestern1330:1218.344%63%4.132.31.51.23.61.4028.5
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
UCLA Offense1247% (89)45% (55)31.3139.64.58 (107).21 (22)3.06 (45)65% (112)9% (64)1.05 (36)
NW Defense1352% (93)47% (121) - - - - .18 (109)3.16 (113)71% (62)9% (94)0.99 (86)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
UCLA Defense1254% (116)53% (135) - - - - .23 (131)3.32 (128)79% (118)7% (132)0.89 (30)
NW Offense1351% (59)46% (48)32.51554.815 (99).14 (57)2.97 (65)76% (41)8% (34)0.91 (91)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UCLA Offense1251% (48)40% (95)19.130.1180.369.515 (75)7 (60).09 (126)1.3 (136)32% (75)32% (49).28 (80)7% (94)1.9 (98)
NW Defense1346% (37)44% (100) - - - - - - 8 (75).24 (62)1.4 (7)28% (121)34% (120).32 (82)6% (64)1.8 (19)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UCLA Defense1245% (23)48% (127) - - - - - - 4 (132).33 (106)1.4 (15)26% (135)40% (135).45 (129)5% (95)1.8 (10)
NW Offense1347% (81)42% (68)15.726.4167.86.410.714 (75)12 (108).21 (88)1.5 (96)30% (49)33% (37).31 (68)9% (131)1.8 (128)

UCLA's Power Ratings
UCLA's Power Rating: 0.61  #68
UCLA's Offense Rating: 11.71  #54
UCLA's Defense Rating: 11.10  #84
2025 Talent Rating: 796.00  #54
Blue Chip Ratio: 12%  #37
UCLA's 2025 Expected Record: 3.0 - 9.0
UCLA's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -9.5  #104
UCLA's Offense SP+ Rating: 21.9  #106
UCLA's Defense SP+ Rating: 31.4  #96

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
UCLA: 0.61   Northwestern: 3.99

SP+ Ratings Matchup
UCLA: -9.5   Northwestern: 1.8




Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: 3.99  #66
Northwestern's Offense Rating: 8.13  #73
Northwestern's Defense Rating: 6.95  #60
2025 Talent Rating: 840.00  #41
Blue Chip Ratio: 3  #65
Northwestern's 2025 Expected Record: 6.7 - 6.3
Northwestern's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.8  #63
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 23.4  #97
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 22.3  #39

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


UCLA Scoring
Offense: 18.2 PPG
Offense on Road: 16.8
Defense: 33.4 PPG
Defense on Road: 32.2

UCLA's 2025 Record
Record: 3 - 9
Record vs Spread: 4 - 8 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 6
Record on Road: 1 - 5
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 4 - 4 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 3 - 2 - 0
Projected Score
Northwestern 27
UCLA 19


Total Points: 46

Based on Last 4 Games
Northwestern 28
UCLA 19

Total Points: 47

Based on Entire Season
Northwestern 29
UCLA 17

Total Points: 46
Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 23.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.8
Defense: 19.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 12.4

Northwestern's 2025 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 8 - 4 - 1
Over/Under Record: 6 - 7
Record at home: 4 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 4 - 1 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 4 - 2 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 3 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202509/27Northwestern17UCLA14Northwestern -6UCLA45.5Under
200512/30UCLA50Northwestern38
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Northwestern100 Overs
UCLA111 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams2 - 00 - 10 - 10 - 0
Road Teams0 - 21 - 00 - 01 - 0

(#68) UCLA at (#66) NW
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatUCLANW
Power RatePwr #68 #66
SP+SP+ #104 #63
Perf GradeGrade #120 #51
OffenseOff #109 #35
DefenseDef #123 #86
Spec TeamsST #41 #108
TalentTal #54 #41
Blue ChipsBC% #37 #65
UCLA Notes
(12/1) Hired Bob Chesney (JMU), a great hire for UCLA
(11/15) QB1 Nico out vs Ohio St (Concussion)
(10/15) No one left via portal after Foster firing, incredible
(10/12) Back 2 back wins, but Sparty is truly awful esp Def
(10/6) 1st time OC Jerry Neuheisel a revelation, great game
(10/4) Incredible effort, unreal W vs Penn St. Nico 5 TD's
(10/4) OG'd PSU by 100, held ball 40 mins, Run Def good
(9/30) Two score underdogs or more in every game forward
(9/30) OC Sunseri fired 4 games in, Jerry Neuheisel Int
(9/14) HC Foster fired, SA Tim Skipper interim HC
(9/13) Outscored 30-0 in 1st quarter in 1st 3 games
(9/13) NM mauled Bruins Def up front. Run Off sucks
UCLA Injury Report
Northwestern Notes
(11/22) Braun gets NW back to bowl. Great job & rebound
(11/16) Lost 3 straight but competitive in most. Improving
(10/19) Have now won 4 straight, 3 in B1G play. Improving
(10/19) Def shut out Purdue, Run Off great, Run Def good
(10/19) QB Stone has been JAG- though, must game control
(9/14) Good fight w/ Ducks but Off has zero expl
(9/9) Top RB Cam Porter out for the season, ouch
(8/30) Stone 4 Int vs Tulane, Run Off & Run Def awful
(7/23) QB is Stone (SMU), no depth, Lausch retired
(5/21) Can WR Wilde (FCS SDSU) bring hope?
(5/21) DL is light, but has exp and some pass rush
(5/21) CBs exp'd but avg, Safeties are good though
Northwestern Injury Report
UCLA on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
UCLA OffNW Def
Perf GradePerf #109 #86
SuccessSuc #75 #117
ExplosiveExp #117 #12
PPAPPA #97 #73
PowerPwr #54 #60
SP+SP+ #106 #39
Pts POPPO #124 #43
HavocHav #76 #82
UCLA Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
UCLA OffNW Def
Run GameRun #62 #91
Run SuccessRSuc #55 #121
Run ExplRExp #36 #86
PPAExp #22 #109
Run BlockR Blk #93 -
OL YdsOLY #45 #113
Stuff RateStuff #76 #118
TackleTak -  #99
UCLA Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
UCLA OffNW Def
Pass GamePass #84 #88
Pass SuccessPSuc #95 #100
Pass ExplPExl #136 #7
PPAExp #126 #62
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #80 #55
F7 HavocF7 #64 #94
DB HavocDB #94 #64
Northwestern on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatNW OffUCLA Def
Perf GradePerf #35 #123
SuccessSuc #59 #135
ExplosiveExp #109 #9
PPAPPA #83 #122
PowerPwr #73 #84
SP+SP+ #97 #96
Pts POPPO #114 #133
HavocHav #95 #130
Northwestern Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffUCLA Def
Run GameRun #46 #107
Run SuccessRSuc #48 #135
Run ExplRExp #91 #30
PPAExp #57 #131
Run BlockR Blk #20 -
OL YdsOLY #65 #128
Stuff RateStuff #49 #129
TackleTak -  #64
Northwestern Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatNW OffUCLA Def
Pass GamePass #82 #111
Pass SuccessPSuc #68 #127
Pass ExplPExl #96 #15
PPAExp #88 #106
Pass Block/RushP Blk #7 #136
F7 HavocF7 #34 #132
DB HavocDB #131 #95
Program Comparison
NW 5 Year Profile: Improving Average G5
'25 Profile: Up to Top G5

UCLA 5 Year Profile: Declining Top G5
'25 Profile: Down to Below Avg G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in L&S Martin Stadium (Temp)
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 5
Northwestern -6.0 (45.5)
Northwestern won vs UCLA this year (17-14)

No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
UCLA's OC Jerry Neuheisel (Int) (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Nico Iamaleava (Tr)20832364%19281376.0
Luke Duncan213462%235206.9
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Nico Iamaleava (Tr)11250544.552
Jalen Berger8136424.524
Jaivian Thomas (Tr)8230613.732
Anthony Woods (Tr)6329404.733
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Kwazi Gilmer50535410.743
Mikey Matthews (Tr)33348210.537
Titus Mokiao-Atimalala25322312.934
Rico Flores26274010.551

View UCLA's Full Roster

UCLA's DC Kevin Coyle (Int) (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
JonJon Vaughns1076101
Isaiah Chisom (Tr)843011
Key Lawrence (Tr)704011
Cole Martin (Tr)654003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jalen Woods475203
Anthony Jones (Tr)203241
JonJon Vaughns1076101
Kechaun Bennett (Tr)233110
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Andre Jordan1900010
Rodrick Pleasant (Tr)362007
Cole Martin (Tr)654003

NW's OC Zach Lujan (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Preston Stone (Tr)22237060%240017126.5
Ryan Boe2729%17012.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Caleb Komolafe190941115.056
Joseph Himon II9948614.937
Dashun Reeder22222110.179
Robby Preckel4214903.514
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Griffin Wilde (Tr)71880812.449
Hayden Eligon Ii37521314.138
Hunter Welcing28296210.636
Ricky Ahumaraeze10200020.035

View Northwestern's Full Roster

NW's DC Tim McGarigle (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Robert Fitzgerald1066014
Mac Uihlein894000
Braydon Brus815344
Braden Turner522012
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Aidan Hubbard2610850
Michael Kilbane428481
Anto Saka134320
Carmine Bastone244341
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Josh Fussell291009
Fred Davis II (Tr)221006
Ore Adeyi201005