New Mexico (1-1) vs UCLA (0-2)
September 12, 2025 at 10:00 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: UCLA -16.5 — Over/Under: +53.5
New Mexico vs UCLA meet Friday in Week 3 college football action from the Rose Bowl. Here’s a New Mexico vs UCLA prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best New Mexico Lobos vs UCLA Bruins pick. We will examine:
The New Mexico Lobos recent form and player performance
The UCLA Bruins’ recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Lobos’
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Bruins
Recent betting trends in games played between New Mexico and UCLA
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the UCLA vs New Mexico game.
It looks like it’s going to be another year for UCLA, and if this continues, maybe there will be some major changes after this season. In the first game of the year, UCLA lost 30-23 to UNLV, and in the last game against Utah, they were knocked off 43-10. At halftime against the Utes, they were down 23-7, and in the second half, it didn’t get any better. UCLA finished the game with only 220 yards and they allowed Utah to put up 492 yards. UCLA only had 136 yards through the air, and 84 yards on the ground.
Nico Iamaleava was supposed to be the big offseason addition at quarterback, but through the first two games, that hasn’t really been the case. Iamaleava completed 11 of his 22 passes for 136 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. If UCLA wants any chance to turn around the season, they are going to need him to be a whole lot better. If he struggles here, this is going to be a very long season.
Jake Layne was under center and he completed 13 of his 21 passes for 155 yards. Scottre Humphrey was running wild, and he finished with 14 carries for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Dorian Thomas finished with five catches for 56 yards. The defense also picked off a pass, and creating a couple of turnovers is going to be a key here.
New Mexico put up quite the fight against Michigan, and UCLA is a lot worse than the Wolverines. Humphrey finished with 14 carries for 141 yards and two touchdowns in the last game, and he can find success against this UCLA defense. Iamaleava is not the answer for this UCLA offense, and he’s not going to be good again here. I just don’t think he’s the right fit for this UCLA team, and there needs to be some major changes to this game. New Mexico might not win this game, but they will keep it close. Back New Mexico to cover the spread.
The New Mexico Lobos recent form and player performance
The UCLA Bruins’ recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Lobos’
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Bruins
Recent betting trends in games played between New Mexico and UCLA
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the UCLA vs New Mexico game.
Another Bad Year for UCLA?
It looks like it’s going to be another year for UCLA, and if this continues, maybe there will be some major changes after this season. In the first game of the year, UCLA lost 30-23 to UNLV, and in the last game against Utah, they were knocked off 43-10. At halftime against the Utes, they were down 23-7, and in the second half, it didn’t get any better. UCLA finished the game with only 220 yards and they allowed Utah to put up 492 yards. UCLA only had 136 yards through the air, and 84 yards on the ground.
Nico Iamaleava was supposed to be the big offseason addition at quarterback, but through the first two games, that hasn’t really been the case. Iamaleava completed 11 of his 22 passes for 136 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. If UCLA wants any chance to turn around the season, they are going to need him to be a whole lot better. If he struggles here, this is going to be a very long season.
Why UCLA Will Beat New Mexico
- UCLA has won six of its last seven games against non-conference opponents at Rose Bowl.
- New Mexico has lost 10 of its last 12 road games against non-conference opponents.
- New Mexico has failed to cover the spread in eight of its last 10 games in California.
Can New Mexico Be A Force?
New Mexico comes into this game with a 1-1 record but even in the loss, they didn’t play that bad. They got in a hole against Michigan, and they couldn’t quite get back, and they ended up losing 34-17. In the last game against Idaho State, New Mexico scored 32 points, and they ended up winning by ten points. The defense still could show improvement, but they were able to pick up the win. New Mexico scored 15 points in the 4th quarter, and that was enough for the win.Jake Layne was under center and he completed 13 of his 21 passes for 155 yards. Scottre Humphrey was running wild, and he finished with 14 carries for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Dorian Thomas finished with five catches for 56 yards. The defense also picked off a pass, and creating a couple of turnovers is going to be a key here.
Why New Mexico Will Beat UCLA
- UCLA has lost four of its last five games.
- New Mexico has won three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
- UCLA has failed to cover the spread in eight of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked teams at Rose Bowl.
- New Mexico has covered the spread in four of its last five road games against non-conference opponents.
New Mexico vs UCLA Prediction
New Mexico put up quite the fight against Michigan, and UCLA is a lot worse than the Wolverines. Humphrey finished with 14 carries for 141 yards and two touchdowns in the last game, and he can find success against this UCLA defense. Iamaleava is not the answer for this UCLA offense, and he’s not going to be good again here. I just don’t think he’s the right fit for this UCLA team, and there needs to be some major changes to this game. New Mexico might not win this game, but they will keep it close. Back New Mexico to cover the spread.