Illinois at UCLA - 2026 Matchup Preview
Illinois logo Illinois Fighting Illini at UCLA BruinsUCLA logo
Saturday, November 14th 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Rose Bowl - Pasadena, CA

 
Fighting Illini (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Bret Bielema (37 - 26)
Avg Score : 29 - 24 (27 - 36 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
UCLA is playing their 6th straight game
ILL is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Illinois -10.5  (SP+ ILL -21.5)
Projected Score: ILL: 33 - UCLA: 22 (55)
ILL Win prob: 76% | Cover: 44%
ILL Travel: 1690 miles, 2 hrs ahead
Bruins (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Bob Chesney (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 18 - 33 (20 - 35 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Illinois's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Illinois vs UAB-30.5
Sat 9/12 Illinois vs Duke-9
Sat 9/19 Illinois vs Southern Illinois-34.5
Sat 9/26 Illinois at Ohio State+21
Sat 10/3 Illinois vs Purdue-16.5
Sat 10/10 Illinois at Michigan State-10.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 Illinois vs Oregon+12
Sat 10/31 Illinois at Maryland-6.5
Sat 11/7 Illinois vs Nebraska-8
Sat 11/14 Illinois at UCLA-10.5
Sat 11/21 Illinois vs Iowa+0.5
Sat 11/28 Illinois vs Northwestern-10

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

Predictions for Illinois's Schedule
UCLA's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 UCLA at California+5
Sat 9/12 UCLA vs San Diego State-0
Sat 9/19 UCLA vs Purdue-4
Sat 9/26 UCLA at Maryland+6.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/10 UCLA at Oregon+30
Sat 10/17 UCLA vs Wisconsin-1.5
Sat 10/24 UCLA vs Michigan State-2.5
Sat 10/31 UCLA vs Nevada-17.5
Sat 11/7 UCLA at Minnesota+8.5
Sat 11/14 UCLA vs Illinois+10.5
Sat 11/21 UCLA at Michigan+20
Sat 11/28 UCLA vs USC+20.5

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

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
ILL#39 (.21)48% (15)29.448% (15)3.04 (52)13848% (14)2364.21 (29)#96 (.2)45% (114)23.641% (53)49% (133)4.33 (125)39.50.81.2
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
ILL0%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
ILL Offense1329.426.647.8%4.210.8213741382363.951%48%48%48%16%.21
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
ILL Defense1323.635.645.2%4.331.2 - - - - - 44%54%41%49%15%.2
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
Illinois1330:5421.242%57%4.639.50.81.24.92.2130.3
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
ILL Offense1351% (59)48% (15)35.2138.23.921 (40).08 (87)3.04 (52)73% (56)10% (87)0.8 (131)
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
ILL Defense1344% (10)41% (53) - - - - .07 (50)2.88 (70)75% (97)9% (80)0.92 (51)
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
ILL Offense1348% (76)48% (14)19.328.6235.88.212.223 (33)6 (7).41 (21)1.6 (56)29% (34)37% (14).37 (43)6% (51)1.9 (111)
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
ILL Defense1354% (122)49% (133) - - - - - - 6 (123).32 (102)1.3 (5)28% (126)36% (130).39 (112)6% (67)2 (62)
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)

Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 9.00  #28
Illinois's Offense Rating: 16.72  #27
Illinois's Defense Rating: 12.72  #36
2026 Talent Rating: 876.00  #30
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #24
Illinois's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Illinois's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 12.9  #24
Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.3  #27
Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.7  #41

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Illinois: 9.00   UCLA: 0.485

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Illinois: 12.9   UCLA: -8.7




UCLA's Power Ratings
UCLA's Power Rating: 0.485  #44
UCLA's Offense Rating: 16.05  #29
UCLA's Defense Rating: 16.38  #63
2026 Talent Rating: 1018.00  #10
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
UCLA's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
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 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


Illinois Scoring
Offense: 29.4 PPG
Offense on Road: 26.6
Defense: 23.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 35.6

Illinois'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
Illinois 33
UCLA 22

Projected Total Points: 55
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
201112/31UCLA14Illinois20
200409/11Illinois17UCLA35
200309/13UCLA6Illinois3
TeamWinsCoversO/U
UCLA200 Overs
Illinois100 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 20 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams2 - 10 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#28) ILL at (#44) UCLA
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatILLUCLA
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #28 #44
SP+SP+ #24 #98
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #30 #10
Blue ChipsBC% #24 #24
Illinois on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffUCLA Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #15 #135
ExplosiveExp #118 #6
PPAPPA #39 #122
PowerPwr #27 #63
SP+SP+ #27 #94
Pts POPPO #29 #133
HavocHav #70 #130
Illinois Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffUCLA Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #15 #135
Run ExplRExp #131 #30
PPAExp #87 #131
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #52 #128
Stuff RateStuff #81 #129
TackleTak - NR
Illinois Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffUCLA Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #14 #127
Pass ExplPExl #56 #15
PPAExp #21 #105
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #87 #132
DB HavocDB #51 #95
UCLA on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCatUCLA OffILL Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #75 #114
ExplosiveExp #120 #37
PPAPPA #96 #96
PowerPwr #29 #36
SP+SP+ #105 #41
Pts POPPO #124 #125
HavocHav #76 #75
UCLA Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
UCLA OffILL Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #54 #53
Run ExplRExp #33 #51
PPAExp #20 #50
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #47 #70
Stuff RateStuff #76 #70
TackleTak - NR
UCLA Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCatUCLA OffILL Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #95 #133
Pass ExplPExl #136 #5
PPAExp #126 #102
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #65 #80
DB HavocDB #95 #67
Program Comparison
UCLA 5 Year Profile: Declining Average G5
'26 Profile: Remains Average G5

ILL 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average P4
'26 Profile: Up to Top 25 Contenders

Weather Forecast
Playing in Rose Bowl
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
ILL's OC Barry Lunney Jr. (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Katin Houser (Tr)26940866%33001968.1
Ty Robinson (Tr)2367%770025.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ca'Lil Valentine13161444.725
Kaden Feagin12250774.226
Aidan Laughery7538235.157
Katin Houser (Tr)8519392.314
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Alex Perry (Tr)56840915.064
Jayshon Platt (Tr)46720515.748
Collin Dixon35548515.761
Hudson Clement36454312.627

View Illinois's Full Roster

ILL's DC Aaron Henry (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Matthew Bailey764012
Robert Edmonson (Tr)474150
William Holmes (Tr)457250
James Thompson Jr.403221
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Darrell Prater (Tr)214400
William Holmes (Tr)457250
James Thompson Jr.403221
Joe Barna202212
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaheim Clarke301007
James Kreutz304003
Deuce Fillmore (Tr)390003

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