Wisconsin (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) at No. 12 UCLA (5-0, 3-0)
When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Rose Bowl
TV/Radio: NBC (Ch. 4)/KABC-AM 790
Line: UCLA by 2.5 points
Injury report
UCLA: OUT: QB Nico Iamaleava, WR Mikey Matthews, WR Jonah Smith, DB Tao Johnson, OL Sam Yoon: QUESTIONABLE: DL Ashton Sanders, OL Jordan Davis, DB Rodrick Pleasant.
Wisconsin: OUT: CB Cai Bates; DOUBTFUL: RB Nate Palmer; QUESTIONABLE: OL Austin Kawecki; PROBABLE: RB Abu Sama III, WR Jaylon Domingeaux.
What’s at stake? UCLA and Wisconsin are two of the best stories in the Big Ten. Both have authored quick turnarounds from losing seasons in 2025. If the season ended today, as far as the Associated Press Top 25 is concerned, the Bruins would qualify for the College Football Playoff. Adding a victory against the sturdy Badgers would bolster that résumé. Head coach Bob Chesney is trying to extend on the mark he set as the first first-year UCLA coach to start 5-0. As for his counterpart, Luke Fickell is moving further from the calls for his job with each win. With fall quarter at UCLA underway it will be interesting to watch how much support an undefeated Bruins team warrants at the Rose Bowl. Last year’s crowds reflected the dismal team. But after months of litigation now quiet, stadium renovations and a successful football team, the only factors stopping fans, and students specifically, from packing the stadium are Los Angeles’ traffic and heat.
Who’s better? UCLA has been truly dominant through five games, especially on the ground, as it ranks sixth in the FBS with 253.2 rushing yards per game. That rushing attack could take a dip with defenses not having to account for dual-threat quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Moreso, Wisconsin could load the box, expecting UCLA to rely on its run game even more with Ty Dieffenbach under center. The Badgers have the talent to do that, with edge rusher Sebastian Cheeks and linebackers Cooper Catalano and Mason Posa leading the way. Another wrinkle is the possibility of UCLA left tackle Jordan Davis, who’s questionable, missing the game, potentially putting Dieffenbach under more pressure from Cheeks. The Bruins can help Dieffenbach by winning the field position and turnover battles, as they have time and again. Their aggressive defense could be effective against an audacious gunslinger in Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph, who’s already thrown five interceptions through five games.
Prediction: Even with a backup quarterback, it would be foolish to bet against Chesney, who has now won 16 of the last 17 football games he’s coached. The biggest concern could be what plagued Oregon last week – how does your backup quarterback fare when he’s trying to come from behind? We’ve seen Dieffenbach manage a lead, but could he author a comeback. That said, UCLA’s ground attack does enough to control a low-scoring matchup between two capable defenses. UCLA 24, Wisconsin 21.