Michigan State at UCLA Week 8 College Football Matchup Michigan State at UCLA Matchup - Week 8
Sat, Oct 24 2026 · Week 8 · 🏟 Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA · Turf · 92,542 cap
Michigan State✈ 1,901 mi-3 hr TZ
Preseason projection — This game has not yet been played and 2026 in-season data is not yet available. Edges are based on 2025 full-season performance. Confidence will increase once in-season games are logged.
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
Michigan State
22
UCLA
31
P&R Line UCLA -9
P&R Total O/U 53.5
Confidence 69 Good
Matchup Prediction
Metrics disagree on this matchup
Momentum Control favors UCLA, while Game Control favors Michigan State. Split signals historically show weaker predictive confidence — treat as a toss-up.
⚡ Split Signal — Metrics Disagree
Momentum Control
58.4%
UCLA wins
Lean
Game Control
64.9%
Michigan State wins
Lean
Advanced Stats
All 4 factors agree → Michigan State · 83.1% ATS historically when all four align
↓ See full breakdown
🏠 UCLA 2nd straight Home Game
Michigan State 2026 Schedule
Michigan State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Michigan State vs Toledo-7.5
Sat 9/12Michigan State vs Eastern Michigan-13.5
Sat 9/19Michigan State at Notre Dame+29
Sat 9/26Michigan State vs Nebraska+4.5
Sat 10/3Michigan State at Wisconsin+4
Sat 10/10Michigan State vs Illinois+7
Sat 10/17Michigan State vs Northwestern+0
Sat 10/24Michigan State at UCLA+9
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/7Michigan State at Michigan+20.5
Sat 11/14Michigan State vs Washington+14
Sat 11/21Michigan State vs Oregon+24.5
Sat 11/28Michigan State at Rutgers+3
UCLA 2026 Schedule
UCLA's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5UCLA at California+3.553.5
Sat 9/12UCLA vs San Diego State-7.5
Sat 9/19UCLA vs Purdue-11.5
Sat 9/26UCLA at Maryland+1
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/10UCLA at Oregon+23
Sat 10/17UCLA vs Wisconsin-7.5
Sat 10/24UCLA vs Michigan State-9
Sat 10/31UCLA vs Nevada-25
Sat 11/7UCLA at Minnesota+2.5
Sat 11/14UCLA vs Illinois+0.5
Sat 11/21UCLA at Michigan+14
Sat 11/28UCLA vs USC+8.5
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2025 season (prior year)
Michigan State PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
All 4 Agree
→ Michigan State
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ Michigan State
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Michigan State
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
Michigan State #97
+0.378
UCLA #96
+0.335
Michigan State Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Michigan State #74
+0.567
UCLA #126
+0.415
Michigan State Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
Michigan State #110
0.135
UCLA #130
0.120
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Michigan State Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Michigan State #64
+8.355
UCLA #124
+6.890
Michigan State Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Michigan State #79
+0.920
UCLA #75
+0.871
Michigan State Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Michigan State #118
72.7
UCLA #129
73.6
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Michigan State Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2025 season (prior year — 2026 data not yet available) · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
UCLA Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
Michigan State #80
-1.7
UCLA #36
6.6
Offense Rating
Michigan State #67
15.8
UCLA #26
19.6
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
Michigan State #94
17.4
UCLA #45
13.0
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? UCLA Edge
Avg sequences created per game
Michigan State #113
0.36
UCLA #89
0.67
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
Michigan State #73
1.00
UCLA #119
2.08
UCLA +0.30
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.4% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Michigan State Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
Michigan State #98
36.3
UCLA #88
23.4
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
Michigan State #90
45.7
UCLA #132
65.6
Michigan State +12.9
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 64.9% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Coaching Matchup
Michigan State
Pat Fitzgerald #32
0–0 (0%) · Yr 1 at school
OC Nick Sheridan Yr 1 #35
DC Joe Rossi Yr 3 #50
Staff Rating
3.19 #33
UCLA
Bob Chesney #20
0–0 (0%) · Yr 1 at school
OC Dean Kennedy Yr 1 #21
DC Colin Hitschler Yr 1 #36
Staff Rating
3.53 #17
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself