Michigan State (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten) at No. 9 UCLA (6-0, 4-0)
When: 12:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Rose Bowl
TV/Radio: CBS (Ch. 2)/KABC-AM 790
Line: UCLA by 14.5
Notable injuries
UCLA: OUT: QB Nico Iamaleava (lower body), WR Mikey Matthews (lower body), WR Jonah Smith (knee), DB Tao Johnson (undisclosed), OL Sam Yoon (undisclosed), OL Jordan Davis (undisclosed), DB Rodrick Pleasant (hamstring),
Michigan State: OUT: RB Cam Edwards (knee), QB Cam Fancher (knee), CB Tre Bell (ankle), CB Charles Brantley (undisclosed), LB Jordan Hall (foot), WR Charles Taplin (foot), CB Keshawn Williams (undisclosed), CB Tyran Chappell (undisclosed), FB Jay Coyne (knee), OL Tristan Comer (undisclosed), TE Joe Caudill (undisclosed); QUESTIONABLE: RB Jazian Patterson (undisclosed), QB Alessio Milivojevic (undisclosed), RB Darrin Jones Jr. (undisclosed), LB Caleb Wheatland (lower body), LB Brady Pretzlaff (undisclosed), OL Ben Murawski (undisclosed).
What’s at stake? UCLA is trying to maintain an unblemished record in the Big Ten and overall. Michigan State is looking for its first conference victory. The Bruins have a real path to qualify for the College Football Playoff, but any loss could put that in jeopardy even if two-loss teams have been included before.
Who’s better? Michigan State shouldn’t present more than another box UCLA checks on its way to the CFP. The Bruins lead the Big Ten in rushing yards per game (231) and the Spartans rank 14th out of 18 teams against the rush. However, UCLA averaged just 130 rush yards over the past two games after averaging 281 through the first four weeks, so it will be important for the Bruins to return to those heights on the ground. On the other side, Michigan State’s rushing game is ranked 16th in the conference and UCLA ranks fourth against the run. Even after losing starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava for the season due to a knee injury, UCLA remained efficient in the passing game, with Ty Dieffenbach throwing for 264 yards against Wisconsin.
Prediction: UCLA 31, Michigan State 17. There’s a world in which this is a trap game, and the Spartans did give No. 24 Northwestern a scare last week, proving it’s foolish to overlook any Big Ten opponent. But the Bruins’ coaching staff is too good and prepares its team too thoroughly to be caught napping by Michigan State. Look for UCLA’s run game to get back on track now that defenses have to respect Dieffenbach.