Wisconsin at UCLA - 2026 Matchup Preview
Wisconsin logo

Wisconsin Badgers at UCLA Bruins

UCLA logo
Saturday, October 17th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Rose Bowl - Pasadena, CA  (Big Ten)

 
Badgers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Luke Fickell (17 - 21)
Avg Score : 13 - 22 (9 - 26 on Road)
Record Prediction: 4.9 - 7.1 (#79)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 1) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 4)
WIS coming off BYE
Our Line: UCLA -5.5  (SP+ WIS -4.5)

Projected Score: WIS: 19 - UCLA: 24 (43)
UCLA Win prob: 67% | Cover: 51%
WIS Travel: 1660 miles, 2 hrs ahead
Bruins (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Bob Chesney (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 18 - 33 (20 - 35 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5.7 - 6.3 (#68)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 2) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 4)
 
Wisconsin's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sun 9/6Wisconsin vs Notre Dame+24.5
Sat 9/12Wisconsin vs Western Illinois-23.5
Sat 9/19Wisconsin vs Eastern Michigan-13
Sat 9/26Wisconsin at Penn State+20
Sat 10/3Wisconsin vs Michigan State-2.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/17Wisconsin at UCLA+5.5
Sat 10/24Wisconsin vs USC+18
Sat 10/31Wisconsin at Iowa+19
Sat 11/7Wisconsin vs Rutgers-1
Sat 11/14Wisconsin at Maryland+4.5
Sat 11/21Wisconsin at Purdue-0.5
Sat 11/28Wisconsin vs Minnesota+4

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

Predictions for Wisconsin's Schedule
UCLA's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5UCLA at California+2.5
Sat 9/12UCLA vs San Diego State+1.5
Sat 9/19UCLA vs Purdue-8.5
Sat 9/26UCLA at Maryland+1.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/10UCLA at Oregon+25.5
Sat 10/17UCLA vs Wisconsin-5.5
Sat 10/24UCLA vs Michigan State-6
Sat 10/31UCLA vs Nevada-22
Sat 11/7UCLA at Minnesota+5.5
Sat 11/14UCLA vs Illinois+7.5
Sat 11/21UCLA at Michigan+18.5
Sat 11/28UCLA vs USC+15

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

Predictions for UCLA'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
WIS#132 (.01)35% (130)12.834% (132)2.82 (91)11838% (108)1362.28 (135)#88 (.19)45% (110)21.644% (92)46% (118)3.13 (25)30.11.30.5
UCLA#96 (.12)42% (75)18.245% (54)3.06 (47)14040% (95)1802.98 (124)#122 (.25)50% (135)33.453% (135)48% (127)4.61 (133)65.51.10.8
 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
WIS0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
UCLA0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WIS Offense1212.8935.4%2.281.3142551181363.456%42%34%38%18%.01
UCLA Defense1233.434.750.3%4.610.8 - - - - - 54%45%53%48%12%.25
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WIS Defense1221.626.244.8%3.130.5 - - - - - 47%51%44%46%13%.19
UCLA Offense1218.219.541.9%2.981.1173201401804.547%51%45%40%16%.12

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
Wisconsin1230:3714.132%67%3.630.11.30.55.12.6128.3
UCLA1229:1117.337%48%7.565.51.10.83.30.8026.4
Run Game Stats (2026)
 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
WIS Offense1256% (24)34% (132)35.1118.33.49 (122).04 (107)2.82 (91)66% (103)12% (121)1.05 (34)
UCLA Defense1254% (116)53% (135) - - - - .23 (131)3.32 (128)79% (116)7% (132)0.89 (30)
 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
WIS Defense1247% (31)44% (92) - - - - .06 (42)2.75 (43)71% (70)9% (89)0.86 (16)
UCLA Offense1247% (88)45% (54)31.3139.64.58 (107).21 (20)3.06 (47)65% (109)9% (65)1.05 (33)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WIS Offense1242% (113)38% (108)13.122.7136.4610.49 (114)13 (119).03 (131)1.5 (105)33% (101)25% (120).2 (109)7% (95)2.1 (48)
UCLA Defense1245% (23)48% (127) - - - - - - 4 (132).33 (105)1.4 (15)26% (135)40% (135).45 (130)5% (95)1.8 (11)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WIS Defense1251% (100)46% (118) - - - - - - 5 (75).33 (106)1.4 (11)30% (97)29% (67).34 (91)4% (133)2 (70)
UCLA Offense1251% (47)40% (95)19.130.1180.369.515 (75)7 (60).09 (126)1.3 (136)32% (75)32% (50).28 (80)7% (95)1.9 (100)

Wisconsin's Power Ratings
Wisconsin's Power Rating: 4.41  #60
Wisconsin's Offense Rating: 13.82  #66
Wisconsin's Defense Rating: 14.41  #59
2026 Talent Rating: 866.00  #43
Blue Chip Ratio: 15%  #27
Wisconsin's 2026 Expected Record: 4.9 - 7.1
Wisconsin's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -4.4  #85
Wisconsin's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.4  #122
Wisconsin's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.9  #34

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
Wisconsin: 4.41   UCLA: 5.705

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Wisconsin: -4.4   UCLA: -8.7




UCLA's Power Ratings
UCLA's Power Rating: 5.705  #23
UCLA's Offense Rating: 21.68  #16
UCLA's Defense Rating: 11.57  #38
2026 Talent Rating: 1000.00  #13
Blue Chip Ratio: 7  #47
UCLA's 2026 Expected Record: 5.7 - 6.3
UCLA's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -8.7  #98
UCLA's Offense SP+ Rating: 21.7  #105
UCLA's Defense SP+ Rating: 30.4  #94

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


Wisconsin Scoring
Offense: 12.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 9
Defense: 21.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 26.2

Wisconsin's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
UCLA 24
Wisconsin 19


Projected Total Points: 43
UCLA Scoring
Offense: 18.2 PPG
Offense at Home: 19.5
Defense: 33.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 34.7

UCLA's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
200012/28Wisconsin21UCLA20
TeamWinsCoversO/U
UCLA000 Overs
Wisconsin100 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 10 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#60) WIS at (#23) UCLA
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWISUCLA
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #60 #23
SP+SP+ #85 #98
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #43 #13
Blue ChipsBC% #27 #47
Wisconsin Notes
(2/14) Vibes: Low, Fickell era bad, Off a disaster
(2/10) Any momentum from beating UW & Illinois LY?
(2/2) Fickell era hasn't worked. NIL $ not fast enough
(1/29) OC Grimes was no better than Longo in Yr 1
(1/29) QB C Joseph potential game changer. Huge fan
(1/29) RB portal Sama great add. Should go 3 deep
(1/29) WR 4 portal adds, nothing special. Avg at best
(1/29) OL a mess. 4 portals. Patchwork Avg line at best
(1/29) DL complete rebuild via portals. Don't see it
(1/29) LBs could be better, DBs look solid w/ good portals
Wisconsin Injury Report
UCLA Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Up big w/ Chesney, NIL funding, hope
(2/4) New staff w Chesney. Good OC/DC combo
(2/4) QB Iamaleava was OK in bad spot. Have depth
(2/4) RB Knight (JMU) big add. Have depth options
(2/4) WR all portals but exp'd, productive & older unit
(2/4) OL has lots of exp @ G5 level. Veteran unit
(2/4) DL lots of portals, DEs from JMU, DT looks ?
(2/4) LBs again veteran portals. 7 with good exp
(2/4) CBs look really good, S has good options
(2/4) UCLA is Chesney's version of Cig plan. Promising
UCLA Injury Report
Wisconsin on Offense
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
WIS OffUCLA Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #130 #135
ExplosiveExp #75 #6
PPAPPA #132 #122
PowerPwr #66 #38
SP+SP+ #122 #94
Pts POPPO #135 #133
HavocHav #119 #130
Wisconsin Run Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
WIS OffUCLA Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #132 #135
Run ExplRExp #34 #30
PPAExp #107 #131
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #91 #128
Stuff RateStuff #72 #129
TackleTak - NR
Wisconsin Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
WIS OffUCLA Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #108 #127
Pass ExplPExl #105 #15
PPAExp #131 #105
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #121 #132
DB HavocDB #95 #95
UCLA on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCatUCLA OffWIS Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #75 #110
ExplosiveExp #120 #20
PPAPPA #96 #88
PowerPwr #16 #59
SP+SP+ #105 #34
Pts POPPO #124 #25
HavocHav #76 #120
UCLA Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
UCLA OffWIS Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #54 #92
Run ExplRExp #33 #16
PPAExp #20 #42
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #47 #43
Stuff RateStuff #76 #24
TackleTak - NR
UCLA Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCatUCLA OffWIS Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #95 #118
Pass ExplPExl #136 #11
PPAExp #126 #106
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #65 #89
DB HavocDB #95 #133
Program Comparison
UCLA 5 Year Profile: Declining Average G5
'26 Profile: Remains Average G5

WIS 5 Year Profile: Declining Top G5
'26 Profile: Down to Average G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Rose Bowl
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
WIS's OC Jeff Grimes (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Colton Joseph (Tr)17328860%261921109.1
Danny O'Neil619068%635557.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Colton Joseph (Tr)1571011136.478
Abu Sama III (Tr)14173255.244
Darrion Dupree8336324.484
Gideon Ituka6025504.318
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jaylon Domingeaux (Tr)528571116.582
Shamar Rigby (Tr)25351114.048
Ryan Schwendeman (Tr)15191212.749
Jacob Harris (Tr)1918259.638

View Wisconsin's Full Roster

WIS's DC Mike Tressel (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mason Posa574424
Cooper Catalano565111
Marvin Burks Jr. (Tr)492001
Matthew Jung491000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mason Posa574424
Junior Poyser (Tr)305420
Sebastian Cheeks246320
Hammond Russell IV (Tr)133200
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Javan Robinson (Tr)423008
Mason Posa574424
Eric Fletcher (Tr)122002

UCLA's OC Dean Kennedy (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Nico Iamaleava20832364%19281376.0
Ty Dieffenbach (Tr)9216257%1305998.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Wayne Knight (Tr)207137396.673
Nico Iamaleava11250544.552
Ty Dieffenbach (Tr)6732144.843
Jaivian Thomas8230613.732
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Leland Smith (Tr)43695316.245
Landon Ellis (Tr)36624517.362
Wayne Knight (Tr)4039719.957
Mikey Matthews33348210.537

View UCLA's Full Roster

UCLA's DC Colin Hitschler (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Drew Spinogatti (Tr)517163
Samuel Omosigho505203
Tao Johnson (Tr)503004
Jalen Woods475203
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Sahir West (Tr)4614774
Aiden Gobaira (Tr)338530
Samuel Omosigho505203
Ryan McCulloch (Tr)113241
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
DJ Barksdale (Tr)3630112
Rodrick Pleasant362007
Ta'Shawn James (Tr)330005