Predictions: Michigan State football at UCLA
Predictions: Michigan State football at UCLA
Angelique S. Chengelis, Connor Earegood, John Niyo and Bob Wojnowski, The Detroit News... See moreFri, October 23, 2026 at 4:20 PM UTC
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Angelique S. Chengelis, Connor Earegood, John Niyo, and Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News predict the outcome of Saturday's Michigan State-UCLA game at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California (3:30 p.m., CBS/760).
▶ Angelique S. Chengelis: UCLA is the only overall unbeaten Big Ten team at 6-0, 4-0 and the Bruins are still playing well after losing starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava for the season with a knee injury. Backup Ty Dieffenbach made his first start in a 17-7 win over Wisconsin, and the run game leads the conference, averaging 231.0 yards per game. The Bruins rank fourth in offense and seventh in defense in the Big Ten, while Michigan State is last in offense and 12th in defense. It's hard enough heading west for a regular-season game, but there's plenty stacked against the Spartans (2-5, 0-4) in this one. Pick: UCLA, 27-10
▶ Connor Earegood: It's no Cradle of Coaches, but James Madison churned out another successful football coach in Bob Chesney, who has UCLA off to an unbeaten start halfway through his first year, much like Curt Cignetti had Indiana. Google him? Against an MSU team yet to win in Big Ten play, the Bruins are favored by more than two touchdowns. UCLA runs the ball better than anyone in a conference built on the ground game. Its defense is crafty, too, and that could pose a problem for an MSU offense (21.3 points per game) that ranks sixth worst among Power Four programs and last in the Big Ten. MSU's defense will be banged up as it has been all year, but it has something going on the defensive line where it tallied five sacks in a breakthrough performance. The secondary needs to do its part. And, down to brass tacks, MSU just has to find its gumption in winning time if it wants to get on the right side of the final score. Pick: UCLA, 24-13
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▶ John Niyo: I'm not sure anybody would've had UCLA as the lone Big Ten unbeaten in late October, but it's been that kind of season in college football. The Bruins have more blue-chip talent on their roster than the Spartans do. They've allowed just three touchdowns combined in their last three conference games. And even though they're relying on a backup quarterback now in FCS transfer Ty Dieffenbach, there's no reason to think the Bruins can't keep rolling. They're ranking in the top five nationally in turnover margin, third-down defense and time of possession. That's a pretty good recipe for a convincing win over a Michigan State team that hasn't won a Big Ten road game since September 2024. Pick: UCLA, 31-14
▶ Bob Wojnowski: The Spartans have a long way to go, and we’re not just talking about the flight to Los Angeles. Decimated by injuries, they face a UCLA team that has risen from nowhere under first-year coach Bob Chesney. The Bruins (6-0) are winning with tough defense and a pounding run game, led by Wayne Knight, who averages 6.8 yards per carry. Backup QB Ty Dieffenbach has been steady since taking over, but expect UCLA to keep it on the ground. A favorable schedule has the Bruins realistically in the playoff picture, and it’s hard to see the 2-5 Spartans derailing them. It’s not about players’ effort under Pat Fitzgerald; it’s about not having enough healthy players or game-breaking talent. Back-to-back heartbreaking home losses are crushing, and if QB Alessio Milivojevic is slowed by injury, this could get ugly. Pick: UCLA, 31-13
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Predictions: Michigan State football at UCLA
Source: “AOL Sports”
