UCLA (0-3) vs Northwestern (1-2)
September 27, 2025 at 03:30 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Northwestern -6 — Over/Under: +44.5
In this article, we will formulate a UCLA vs Northwestern Prediction for this College Football Week 5 game on Saturday, September 27th at the Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Football matchup.
Northwestern Preview
Northwestern has a 1-2 record this season and are sitting on the 18th place of the Big Ten Conference. They are 2-1 ATS, 0-3 in Over/Under and have a 1-1 home record and 0-1 away record. The Wildcats are coming off a 14-34 home loss to Oregon and are playing Louisiana-Monroe and Penn State next.
Offensively, the Wildcats average 19.7 points per game, which ranks 115th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 21.3 points per game, which is 62nd. Northwestern averages 358.7 total yards per game, with 178.3 rushing yards and 180.3 passing yards per game. They allow 324.7 total yards per game, with 171.7 rushing and 153.0 passing yards per game.
Preston Stone leads the Wildcats with 541 passing yards and 59.3% completed passes. Caleb Komolafe leads the team in rushing yards, with 150, while Griffin Wilde has a team-high 15 caught passes for 213 receiving yards, and has zero touchdowns. Defensively, Robert Fitzgerald has a team-high 27 total tackles, 15 of them solo. Carmine Bastone leads the Wildcats in sacks, with 1.5, while Mac Uihlein has two interceptions.
UCLA Preview
UCLA has a 0-3 record this season and are sitting on the 11th place of the Big Ten Conference. They are 0-3 ATS, 1-2 in Over/Under and have a 0-2 home record and 0-1 away record. The Bruins are coming off a 10-35 home loss to New Mexico and are playing Northwestern, Penn State and Michigan State next.
Offensively, the Bruins average 14.3 points per game, which ranks 133rd in the nation. Defensively, they allow 36.0 points per game, which is 127th. UCLA averages 324.7 total yards per game, with 122.0 rushing yards and 202.7 passing yards per game. They allow 431.0 total yards per game, with 244.0 rushing and 187.0 passing yards per game.
Nico Iamaleava leads the Bruins with 608 passing yards and 63.9% completed passes. Anthony Woods leads the team in rushing yards, with 117, while Kwazi Gilmer has a team-high 16 caught passes for 174 receiving yards, and has zero touchdowns. Defensively, Isaiah Chisom has a team-high 37 total tackles, 17 of them solo. Kechaun Bennett leads the Bruins in sacks, with one.
UCLA Bruins @ Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends: Week 5
Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win
- UCLA has lost each of its last six games in September.
- The favorite has won each of Northwestern’s last six games.
- UCLA has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six games.
- The home team has covered the spread in five of Northwestern’s last six games.
Why the UCLA Bruins will win
- Northwestern has lost each of its last five home games against conference opponents.
- UCLA has won three of its last four September road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- UCLA has covered the spread in five of its last six games as a road underdog.
- Northwestern has failed to cover the spread in 11 of its last 14 September games as a favorite.
- Northwestern has lost the first half in each of its last five home games against conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of UCLA’s last four games in September have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Four of Northwestern’s last five games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Northwestern Wildcats Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 5, Mac Uihlein ranks T8th amongst FBS players for interceptions (2) this season.
UCLA Bruins Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 5, Anthony Woods leads UCLA for touchdowns (1) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Northwestern ranks T1st among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (100.0).
- Northwestern ranks 135th among FBS teams for Q2 points per game this season (2.3).
- UCLA ranks T1st among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (100.0).
- UCLA ranks 135th among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this season (13.7).
UCLA vs Northwestern Prediction
In this UCLA vs Northwestern Prediction, Northwestern is coming as -6.5-point home favorites, with the total set at 45 points. UCLA has been terrible this season, having lost and failed to cover all of their three games played. They have a bottom-10 defense, and are losing by an average of 31.7 points per game. On the flip side, Northwestern has covered the spread in their last two games, and they are far better both offensively and defensively, so I expect them to get the job done today. Take Northwestern and lay the -6.5 points at home.