Utah vs UCLA Predictions, Picks & Odds for Late-Night CFB Week 1

• Utah travels to Pasadena to take on UCLA in Saturday late-night college football action!
• The updated Utah vs UCLA odds favor the Utes by 5.5 points
• Read below for my Utah vs UCLA prediction, picks, and odds for Nico Iamaleava’s debut

On Saturday, August 30, 2025, college football fans have two well after dark games to bet on. This involves old Pac-12 teams that have changed conferences. The Utah Utes represent the Big 12, while UCLA now comes out of the Big 10.

This game hits us with so many question marks and possible red flags. One of the harsh lessons we have learned from Week 0 and Week 1 is to expect plenty of the unexpected. Look at how South Florida tired out and routed Boise State on Thursday evening. Count on this being more common early on.

Utah finished with a 5-7 record in 2024, while UCLA also had a 5-7 season. Former Bruin standout Deshaun Foster is in his second year coaching the Bruins. Kyle Whittingham has been coaching the Utes for 20 years now.

Utah is favored in a close battle with the over/under set at 49.5 points, according to Caesars Sportsbook. The game will be broadcast live on FOX and streamed on FOX ONE. Kickoff will be scheduled for just after 11:00 p.m. ET from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Utah vs UCLA Prediction

• Winner Prediction: UCLA (+185 ML at Caesars)

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Now, Week 0 and Week 1 feel like the school of hard knocks. Look at how Boise State started out against South Florida. The Broncos pretty much played a perfect road first quarter and then self-destructed the rest of the way. South Florida scored 34 points unanswered in what became a runaway. On the bright side, Illinois rolled easily at home, scoring 52 points.

Both teams come in on differing streaks, too. UCLA looked a lot better over the second half of 2024 as they won four of their final six games. Utah lost seven of their nine Big 12 conference games. Some even talked about Whittingham being on the hot seat potentially. That seems crazy until you consider how win-now college football truly is.

Also, Utah is 0-3-1 in their previous four road openers. UCLA now features former Tennessee signal-caller Nico Iamaleava. Utah counters with Devon Dampier. The advantage seems tilted to the Bruins initially.

With the two squads hiring new offensive coordinators, the defenses could have the upper hand here. However, Iamaleva does have a chip in his shoulder.

Now, UCLA being a +185 underdog is pretty attractive here. The Utes’ offensive line will be a challenge, but the Bruins’ defensive Front Seven is improved from early in 2024. Taking the Bruins to win outright is not a crazy idea.

Utah vs UCLA Picks:

Now, the two teams have played each other 21 times, with the teams splitting the recent two matchups. Few truly know what to expect with Iamaleava and UCLA. Pacing is counted on being a little slow early. Maybe there will be some theatrics late.

UCLA’s rushing defense could place Utah in more than a few third-and-long situations. That may be the difference in this contest. Last year’s edition allowed 3.3 yards per carry and under 100 yards per contest.

The big question is the following. Can UCLA take advantage of early home cooking? They got blown out by Indiana in their home opener last year and took five weeks to truly start recovering.

I am going for the Under here once more. It likely will be very close, but the Under sneaks through late, along with a UCLA cover and outright win.

Saturday CFB Picks:

• UCLA +5.5 Spread (-110) and Game Total Under 49.5 (-110)

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Utah vs UCLA Odds

Utah is favored by 5.5 points with -218 moneyline odds, implying a 68.55% win probability for the Utes. UCLA are now +185 underdogs, representing a 35.71% chance to win, per the oddsmakers.

The total is set at 49.5 points, with even juice served on either side.

Odds as of August 30, 2025, at Caesars Sportsbook. Examine the best College Football betting apps for Utah-UCLA.

Line movement in this game has stayed mostly around 5.5 points since the CFB Week 1 odds dropped. The spread money is expected to keep trending toward UCLA as kickoff approaches.

Utah vs UCLA Head to Head

The programs have met 21 times and twice recently. Here are those results.

• Sep 23, 2023 – Utah 14 UCLA 7
• Oct 8 2022 – UCLA 42 Utah 32

Both games were with Chip Kelly as coach and not Foster. Either way, this should be close. UCLA has seen their last five homes games go the way of the Under, while Utah is 3-1-1 to the Under side over their past five road games. The song could remain the same later tonight.