UCLA Bruins vs California Golden Bears Prediction, 9/5/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: UCLA Bruins vs California Golden Bears

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026

Location: California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, CA

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Golden Bears (+1.5)

Total/Over-Under: 53.5

The California Golden Bears (7-6 last year) will go up against the UCLA Bruins (3-9 last season) at California Memorial Stadium on Saturday, September 5, 2026. UCLA is 1.5-point favorites. The total has been set at 53.5.

The UCLA Bruins finished the year having earned a 3-9 record. In their last game, the Bruins took on the USC Trojans and took a loss by a score of 29-10. For the game, they had 64 plays which gave them a total of 308 yards. The UCLA Bruins ran the ball a total of 26 different times and accrued 108 yards, which had them averaging 4.2 yards per attempt. Against the rush, the Bruins gave up 131 yds on 26 attempts, which calculates to 5.0 yds per run surrendered. UCLA allowed 21 pass completions on 29 attempts for a total of 257 yards, and a completion rate of 72.4%.

The Bruins racked up 3,839 total yards for the previous season. UCLA amassed 16 touchdowns via the pass and 8 rushing touchdowns. They turned the ball over 13 times. UCLA amassed 208 1st downs as a unit, and they were hurt by 90 penalties for 786 yds. As a team they averaged 139.7 yards on the ground, giving them a rank of 85th in college football. When it comes to scoring points, the UCLA Bruins held an average of 18.2 PPG.

The Bruins ranked 127th in college football concerning team defense, conceding 33.4 points per game. They allowed 5.2 yards per run and 190.4 rushing yards per contest over the course of last year. In total, they gave up 2,285 running yards through 12 games. When it comes to yards through the air, the Bruins allowed 2,359 yards which had them ranked 20th in the country. In their 12 games, they allowed 196.6 yards per contest through the air in addition to surrendering a completion percentage of 65.8%. They surrendered 387.0 yards/game which ranked them 85th in Division 1. They allowed 23 touchdowns via the pass as well as 26 touchdowns on the ground.

Get all of our Free College Football Picks

The Golden Bears wrapped up their season having a 7-6 mark. The last time they took the field, the Golden Bears took a loss by a final score of 35-31 against the Hawaii Warriors. The Golden Bears finished the game with a total of 480 yards while they ran 67 plays (7.2 yds per play). California ran the ball for 5.1 yards per carry, finishing with a total of 144 yds on 28 attempts. California allowed 23 rushing attempts for 93 yards (4.0 yds per rush). The Golden Bears pass defense allowed a completion percentage of 69.4%, relinquishing 302 yards on 34 out of 49 through the air.

In relation to their ability to score points, the Golden Bears had a ranking of 86th in the country with a maintained average of 25.3 points per contest. The California Golden Bears averaged 357.6 yards per contest, which was good for 89th in Division 1. The California offense accrued 840 penalty yds on 101 violations, ranking them 9th in the country in terms of hurting your team. They threw 10 picks while letting opponents recover 7 fumbles and they earned 260 first downs. Last year, the Golden Bears threw for a total of 3,587 yards through the air as well as an average of 275.9 passing yards per contest, which had them ranked 19th in D-1. They averaged 81.7 yards via the ground game and toted the ball for 1,062 yards overall.

The Golden Bears allowed 27.2 points per contest, which had them ranked 82nd in college football. California conceded a total of 2,036 yards rushing (156.6 yards/game) in addition to 23 touchdowns via the rush last season. They allowed the opposition 14 touchdowns through the air in addition to 205.2 yards per outing, which had them sitting 45th in D-1. The Golden Bears defense participated in 852 plays, which ranked them 75th in the nation. They earned 5 fumbles and 8 picks last season. In total, they surrendered 354 points in total.

Who will win tonight's Bruins/Golden Bears college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Bruins -1.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Get college football picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bets by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.