UCLA Pregame Picks: Staff Score Predictions, Picks Against the Spread and Eleven Warriors Prop Bets

With the Bruins clinging to their final gasp for bowl eligibility, sitting at 3-6 entering Saturday night’s clash, Ohio State looks to secure its fifth-consecutive double-digit win season with a victory over UCLA. 

Nights in the Shoe >> pic.twitter.com/OY7HciVOVj

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 15, 2025

Meeting for the first time as Big Ten counterparts, Ohio State aims to break the all-time tie with UCLA, as the Buckeyes and Bruins have split their nine meetings evenly — including a 10-10 tie in 1976. 

UCLA will be without starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, which will likely hamper its already ailing offense, which ranks No. 102 in the country in total offense (344.6 yards per game) and No. 109 in passing offense (184.3 yards per game). UCLA will turn to redshirt sophomore Luke Duncan, who will make his first-career start on Saturday night. 

As Ohio State eyes another opportunity to continue rolling in Big Ten play, the Eleven Warriors staff expects another runaway victory for the Buckeyes in primetime. 

SCORE PREDICTIONS

Andy Anders — Ohio State 41, UCLA 10: I’ve been the worst on staff at predicting scores this season, probably because I keep picking high-scoring games for the Buckeyes despite constantly writing about their methodical pace of play and attempts to tweak the ground game. No more. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me nine times... fool me, can’t get fooled again. 

Chase Brown — Ohio State 42, UCLA 3: The last time Ohio State hosted a November night game in Columbus, it beat a 3-6 Michigan State team 38-3. That feels like a good score for Saturday’s matchup with UCLA, who has the same record the Spartans did before entering the Horseshoe. Eh, and let’s tack on four more points for good measure. 

George Eisner — Ohio State 45, UCLA 7: Does Julian Sayin make it four games in a row with 300+ passing yards and at least 80 percent of his passes completed? I'm inclined to think so given it would ultimately be in OSU's best interests to put this one out of reach early and then focus on tuning up the ground game in the second half. 

Jack Emerson — Ohio State 38, UCLA 7: Ohio State makes life incredibly difficult for UCLA backup quarterback Luke Duncan in his debut, as the Bruins will only be able to muster a garbage-time touchdown late in the game. Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith will continue to bolster their respective Heisman Trophy campaigns, with both players posting big performances against the Bruins. 

Matt Gutridge — Ohio State 45, UCLA 10: This will be the ninth time Ohio State has hosted an unranked Big Ten team in prime time. The Buckeyes are undefeated in the first eight games, winning by an average score of 46-13. With or without Nico, it should be a long night for the Bruins. 

Dan Hope — Ohio State 38, UCLA 3: With Nico Iamaleava out and a quarterback who’s never thrown a collegiate pass in, it’s going to be a long night for UCLA’s offense against Ohio State’s top-ranked defense. The Buckeyes should cruise to a victory with their offense scoring in the thirties for a fifth game in a row. 

Kyle Jones — Ohio State 38, UCLA 10: UCLA has no answer for the OSU passing game, but the Bruins find the end zone late for another back-door cover. 

Chris Lauderback — Ohio State 45, UCLA 7: Nico or not, this game was always going to be a bloodbath. I'm actually hoping it does rain some and the wind gusts are a factor - give Julian Sayin and this offense a little feel for it before they potentially experience similar or worse in Ann Arbor. 

Ramzy Nasrallah — Ohio State 42, UCLA 6: The Buckeyes put together six scoring drives for the sixth straight game. That's all they're doing against overmatched opponents now - little math puzzles for themselves to enjoy. 

Josh Poloha — Ohio State 41, UCLA 6: OSU takes care of business, covers the spread because it is a great team, and gets one game closer to The Game. I expect multiple touchdowns from Jeremiah Smith, and for Nate Roberts to become the fifth Ohio State tight end to score a touchdown this season. 

Jason Priestas — Ohio State 45, UCLA 9: UCLA cracks the top 30 in one major team stat and that’s passing defense (27th). Julian Sayin and his weapons under the lights will ensure that ranking stumbles as Ohio State, already a machine, hits another level in prime time in front of home fans. 

Jordan Raines — Ohio State 42, UCLA 7: The Silver Bullets continue to suffocate opposing offenses, while the Buckeyes’ methodical offense overwhelms the Bruins, still working to iron out a few imperfections along the way. 

WILL OHIO STATE COVER?

With the announcement that Iamaleava would miss Saturday’s contest, the spread rose to 34.5 points in favor of the Buckeyes. Ohio State has covered in seven of nine games this season, emerging as one of the best teams against the spread this season, while UCLA’s 3-6 record against the spread reflects the Bruins’ 3-6 mark on the season.

A majority of the Eleven Warriors staff expect the Buckeyes to clear the lofty spread on Saturday evening, with the lone holdouts being Andy Anders, Jack Emerson and Kyle Jones. 

WHAT ABOUT THE OVER/UNDER?

The point total for this game sits at 47.5 points, dropping a point from its original total. The under has hit in six of Ohio State’s nine games, and has hit in three of the last four games for the Buckeyes. The over has hit in each of UCLA’s last two games, however.

Eight members of the Eleven Warriors staff expect the Buckeyes and Bruins to go over the point total, while Chase Brown, Emerson, Dan Hope and Josh Poloha went against the grain and picked the under. 

ELEVEN WARRIORS PROP BETS

Curious how the sportsbooks assign probabilities to the potential achievements of several players on the field today? Get a look at some of our in-house prop betting lines ahead of kickoff for a window into how the betting market believes the afternoon will develop for characters from both schools. Leave your predictions for us in the comments!

How many passing touchdowns will Julian Sayin throw?

• Over 2.5 (-110)
• Under 2.5 (-110)

How many receptions will Jeremiah Smith finish with?

• Over 6.5 (-150)
• Under 6.5 (+100)

How many yards will Bo Jackson rush for?

• Over 64.5 (-110)
• Under 64.5 (-110)