Week 5 of the 2025 College Football season brings the UCLA Bruins to Evanston, Illinois, where they will play the Northwestern Wildcats. The game will take place at the Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 3:30 PM. Fans can catch the action live on BTN. The UCLA Bruins enter the game with a 0-3 record this season, including a 0-1 record on the road. Despite putting up significant passing yards in their recent loss to UNLV, the Bruins have struggled to convert their efforts into victories. They will be looking to turn their season around against a conference rival. Meanwhile, the Northwestern Wildcats hold a 1-2 record, with their lone win coming at home against Western Illinois. Northwestern showed offensive capability in that game, scoring 42 points, but have faced challenges in their other contests. The Wildcats will aim to leverage their home-field advantage to secure another win.
Northwestern vs UCLA At a Glance
- Game Venue: Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium in Evanston, IL — Outdoor Field
- Game Time and Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 3:30 PM (Afternoon Game)
- TV Coverage: BTN
- Weather Forecast: Not provided
- Team Records: UCLA Bruins 0-3, Northwestern Wildcats 1-2
- Betting Odds: UCLA Moneyline +194, Northwestern Moneyline -236
Northwestern Wildcats Look to Pounce on Upcoming Opponent
Offensive Insights
Northwestern’s offense has experienced some challenges in the 2025 season. They have amassed 59 points, ranking them 79th in the nation, and their passing game has struggled, placing 122nd with 541 yards. Rushing has been slightly more productive, ranking 83rd with 539 yards.
Despite these struggles, Northwestern’s offense has shown potential in specific games. For instance, they recorded 283 rushing yards against Western Illinois, demonstrating an ability to exploit weaker defenses. The team will need to leverage these strengths in their upcoming games to improve their overall performance.
Defensive Strengths
Defensively, the Wildcats have fared better, ranking 40th in points against, allowing 64 points this season. Their pass rush has been effective, recording 3 sacks, which ranks 15th nationally. Additionally, they have been formidable in creating turnovers, with 2 interceptions ranking them 3rd in the country.
Despite their defensive prowess, there are areas for improvement, particularly in recovering fumbles. Northwestern has not yet recovered a fumble this season, an area that could be pivotal in turning games in their favor.
Key Players
Quarterback Preston Stone has been a pivotal figure for Northwestern, leading the team with 541 passing yards and three touchdowns. His performance has been crucial in keeping the Wildcats competitive in their games.
On the ground, Caleb Komolafe has led the rushing attack with 150 yards over three games, providing a consistent presence in the backfield. His contributions will be essential, especially with Cam Porter sidelined for the rest of the season due to injury.
Recent Game Analysis
The Wildcats’ recent game against Oregon highlighted both strengths and weaknesses. They managed to rush for 180 yards, slightly outpacing Oregon’s 178, but their passing game faltered with only 135 yards. Turnovers were a significant issue, with Northwestern throwing two interceptions.
In contrast, their victory over Western Illinois showcased the team’s potential, where they dominated with 245 passing yards and 283 rushing yards. This game reflected what the Wildcats are capable of when firing on all cylinders.
Betting Trends
- O/U – After Loss: Last 8 Games (2024–2025) → 7-1 (87.5%)
- O/U – Totals ≤ 42: Last 3 Games (2024) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- SU – As Favorite: Last 7 Games (2023–2025) → 6-1 (85.7%)
- O/U – Away Games: Last 5 Games (2024–2025) → 4-1 (80.0%)
- ATS – After Win: Last 10 Games (2023–2025) → 7-3 (70.0%)
- SU – After Loss: Last 14 Games (2023–2025) → 9-5 (64.3%)
UCLA Bruins: Analyzing the Season So Far
Offensive Performance
The UCLA Bruins have experienced a challenging start to their 2025 season. Their offensive stats reveal a struggle, with only 43 points scored, ranking them 87th. Their passing game has been less effective, amassing just 608 yards, placing them 109th.
The rushing attack hasn’t fared much better, with a mere 366 yards, which ranks them 116th. Despite these challenges, the team has achieved 56 first downs, holding a respectable 50th rank in that category.
Defensive Struggles
Defensively, the Bruins have allowed 108 points, placing them 76th in the rankings. However, they have managed to record 2 sacks, ranking 16th, indicating some strength in their pass rush. Their interception tally remains at zero, but they have recovered two fumbles, securing a 4th place rank in that aspect.
The Bruins’ defense showed vulnerability in recent games, allowing significant rushing yards to opponents. Their challenge will be to tighten their run defense in upcoming games.
Recent Game Performance
The Bruins are coming off a string of losses, with the most recent being a 35-10 defeat at the hands of New Mexico. In that game, UCLA managed 217 passing yards but only 109 rushing yards. The defense allowed New Mexico to gain 298 rushing yards, highlighting a critical area for improvement.
Previously, the Bruins faced UNLV and Utah, losing both games. Against UNLV, they accumulated 255 passing yards and 173 rushing yards, showcasing their potential on offense despite the loss.
Key Players
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been a bright spot, contributing 608 passing yards over three games. Although his rank is 97th, his efforts have been pivotal for the Bruins. On the ground, Anthony Woods leads with 117 rushing yards but has yet to score a touchdown.
Wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer stands out with 16 receptions and 174 receiving yards. His ability to make plays will be crucial for the Bruins as they aim to turn their season around.
Injury Concerns
The Bruins’ injury report lists several key players as questionable, including wide receiver Rico Flores Jr., who is recovering from a torn ACL. This uncertainty may impact their offensive strategies in upcoming games. Additionally, defensive and offensive linemen dealing with undisclosed injuries could affect their effectiveness in both protecting the quarterback and stopping the run.
Upcoming Challenges
UCLA is set to take on Northwestern in an away game, with the Bruins being 6.5-point underdogs. Following that, they face Michigan State, another away challenge. Both games present opportunities for the Bruins to showcase improvements and potentially secure their first win of the season.
Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: 18-6 (75.0%)
- O/U – After Win: 19-11 (63.3%)
- SU – Totals ≥ 50: 19-11 (63.3%)
- ATS – Away Games: 15-9 (62.5%)
- SU – After Win: 15-9 (62.5%)
- SU – Away Games: 14-9 (60.9%)
- O/U – As Underdog: 13-9 (59.1%)
- SU – Home Games: 14-10 (58.3%)
- O/U – Away Games: 3-1 (75.0%)
- ATS – As Underdog: 14-11 (56.0%)
- SU – After Loss: 14-11 (56.0%)
- ATS – After Loss: 14-11 (56.0%)
Northwestern vs UCLA Prediction: Over 44.5
The matchup between Northwestern and UCLA presents a compelling case for taking the Over at 44.5. Despite their winless start, UCLA’s defense has struggled, allowing 108 points across three games this season. This weakness could be exploited by Northwestern, which has shown an ability to score after losses, evidenced by their 87.5% success rate on the Over following defeats in recent games.
Additionally, Northwestern’s home performances contribute to this prediction, with their last 19 home games hitting the Over 52.6% of the time. Their offensive capability, especially after a loss, suggests they’ll put points on the board against a vulnerable UCLA defense. Considering these factors, the Over appears to be a solid play.
Both teams have exhibited defensive vulnerabilities, and UCLA’s offense, although struggling, might find opportunities against Northwestern, who has conceded 64 points in three games. The game environment at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium could foster a high-scoring contest, pushing the total beyond the set line. Expect a spirited offensive effort from both sides as they look to change their season’s narratives.
With Northwestern’s tendency to bounce back offensively after a loss and UCLA’s defensive struggles, the projection leans toward a game exceeding the point total. A predicted final score of Northwestern 27 – UCLA 20 aligns with this perspective, surpassing the total line comfortably.
- Northwestern vs UCLA Prediction: Over 44.5
- Northwestern vs UCLA Score: Northwestern 27 – UCLA 20
