Gameday predictions: UCLA vs. Nebraska

Following its final bye week of the season, UCLA football (2-5, 1-4 Big Ten) will head to Memorial Stadium to face Nebraska (5-3, 2-3) with a shot at its second Big Ten win of the year. Here are this week’s game day predictions from Sports editor Ira Gorawara, reporter Matthew Niiya and senior staffer Cecilia Schmitz – along with a guest prediction from Data editor Liam McGlynn.

Ira Gorawara
Sports editor
Prediction: UCLA 17, Nebraska 28

Though the Bruins are playing this season with house money, Saturday’s duel holds heavy implications.

UCLA football, despite the somewhat rightful slander it’s endured this season, seems to be riding an upward trajectory.

The squad’s painful, down-to-the-wire loss to Minnesota still flashes considerable glimmers of growth – particularly on what’s been an abysmal offensive line. UCLA subsequently dented the Big Ten win column for the first time this season against Rutgers.

What that points to, at least for now, is that a win at Memorial Stadium could begin to redefine the team’s season – and coach DeShaun Foster’s coaching legacy in Westwood. It’d ignite the Bruins’ first winning streak in 2024 and lift them to three wins – a figure many deemed far-fetched and that would push the team into bowl conversations.

And what do those stakes spell out? A Bruin loss Saturday.

The orbit of UCLA’s season has been far – very far – from promising. But if there’s one thing more unreliable, it’s the unit’s ability to close out games.

A failure to eclipse their first-half tally has occurred on five occasions, and their single Big Ten victory over the Scarlet Knights was – to put it lightly – by a whisker of a margin.

When the pressure mounts for UCLA, the “resilience” likes to stay tethered.

Matthew Niiya
Daily Bruin reporter
Prediction: UCLA 16, Nebraska 23

Which version of the Cornhuskers will come to play Saturday?

Nebraska appeared to celebrate Halloween early by merely dressing up as a football team, but forgetting to play like one, in its contest against then-No. 16 Indiana – a game that ended in a 56-7 beatdown at the hands of the Hoosiers.

But just one week later, the Huskers marched into The Shoe and nearly stunned the 104,830 fans in attendance. Despite falling short, Nebraska went toe-to-toe with then-No. 4 Ohio State – something that seemed unimaginable given the previous week’s result.

Coach Matt Rhule’s squad even held a slim fourth-quarter lead – its first against a top-five team since 2009. Ultimately, Nebraska and its former five-star recruit and true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola were unable to overcome the Ohio State onslaught as a late interception sealed their fate.

On the other hand, Ethan Garbers is coming off of a career-best game.

Two weeks ago against Rutgers, the redshirt senior quarterback threw for a career-high 383 yards and four touchdowns. Garbers even got the opportunity to showcase his wheels on a 49-yard dash into the end zone for an additional score – the longest run of his career.

Saturday’s conditions at Memorial Stadium, however, may be something to keep an eye on. With the possibility of rain looming, the Bruins may have to rely on the ground game – an aspect of the offense that has struggled all year long.

The offensive line’s ability to keep Garbers upright and open up lanes in the trenches will determine whether a trick awaits the Bruins or if they can celebrate a post-Halloween treat away from home.

Cecilia Schmitz
Daily Bruin senior staff
Prediction: UCLA 13, Nebraska 27

UCLA football has started to show signs of life.

After winning its first game since the season opener, UCLA received a bye week prior to its game against Nebraska to rejuvenate.

A common issue for the Bruins has been their starters tiring out, with a shallow bench unable to offer as much support. But with an extra week off, the squad’s starters have had more time to rest and refuel.

The rest is especially crucial since UCLA has had a brutal lineup so far this season – featuring four teams that are all now ranked in the nation’s top 20 – No. 13 Indiana, No. 16 LSU, No. 1 Oregon and No. 3 Penn State.

Garbers had his best game all season against Rutgers, helping UCLA breach the 20-point threshold for the first time this year.

Despite signs pointing to an upward trend, Nebraska will not offer any respite for UCLA.

The Huskers’ No. 16 defense will hold the Bruin offense to a meager one touchdown, with the Bruins’ only other points coming from field goals.

Furthermore, the Huskers boast a phenomenal quarterback in freshman Dylan Raiola.

UCLA’s lackluster defense will have trouble containing Raiola’s arm and Nebraska’s passing game.

Thus, although UCLA has started to approach the clear, it is not quite out of the woods yet – as Saturday’s game will prove.

Liam McGlynn
Data editor
Prediction: UCLA 13, Nebraska 28

Halloween spirit is in the air this weekend.

Nebraska quarterback and Patrick Mahomes impersonator Dylan Raiola will take on Mahomes’ former play-caller, Eric Bieniemy, who will pretend to be the NFL-caliber play designer he was supposed to be while in Kansas City.

After a surprising win against Rutgers followed by a week of rest, UCLA will look to carry any momentum it may have gained from its first Big Ten victory. But facing off against Nebraska, UCLA will struggle to keep up on both sides of the ball.

Scoring an average of 17.4 points per game this season, UCLA’s Garbers-led offense will need to replicate last game’s success this weekend – albeit this time, against a far more talented defense.

While the Bruins’ offensive line has steadily improved over the past several weeks, Saturday’s matchup will be an important test against a stout defensive front that ranks 12th in sack percentage and held Ohio State to just 64 rushing yards.

With rain in the forecast and UCLA’s complete inability to run the ball effectively – averaging an abysmal 2.5 yards per rush – the Bruins could be in for a grueling afternoon if they are unable to find a rhythm on the ground.

Having thrown five interceptions and no touchdowns in his last three games, Raiola’s poor form leaves the door open to a possible upset. Regardless, the odds remain heavily stacked against UCLA because of its inefficient offense, toothless secondary and general lack of consistency.