Wisconsin Badgers vs UCLA Bruins Prediction, 10/17/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Wisconsin Badgers vs UCLA Bruins

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026

Location: Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA

TV: NBC

Odds/Point Spread: Bruins (-3.5)

Total/Over-Under: 45.5

The Wisconsin Badgers (4-1) are hitting the road to Rose Bowl on Saturday, October 17, 2026 where they will attempt to defeat the UCLA Bruins (5-0). UCLA opens this game as 3.5-point favorites. The over/under is set at 45.5.

The Wisconsin Badgers head into this matchup 4-1 this season. The last time they stepped onto the field, the Badgers faced off with the Michigan State Spartans and took home the win by a score of 31-3. The Wisconsin Badgers ended up rushing 42 different times and accrued 228 yards, which had them averaging 5.4 yds per attempt. At the end of the game, they had 62 plays which gave them 373 yds. Wisconsin conceded 16 completions on 34 tries for a total of 108 yds, and a completion percentage of 47.1%. When it came to stopping the run, the Badgers gave up 127 yards on 45 tries, which is 2.8 yds per rush allowed.

Concerning putting points on the board, the Wisconsin Badgers have an average of 31.6 points per game. As a unit they have an average of 153.0 yards in the run game ranking this team at 72nd in the nation. The Badgers have tallied 1,897 total yards for the season. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, Wisconsin has earned 10 touchdowns through the air and 6 touchdowns via the ground. Wisconsin has accumulated 90 1st downs offensively, and they have committed 31 penalties for 256 yds. They have surrendered the football 6 times.

In terms of passing yards, the Badgers have allowed 763 yds which puts them in 7th in D-1. They have yielded 152.6 yards per game through the air in addition to allowing a completion percentage of 54.8%. In total, they are conceding 267.2 yards per contest which ranks them 15th in the nation. They have yielded 3 touchdowns through the air as well as 3 touchdowns pounding the rock. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.2 yards per attempt on the ground and 114.6 rushing yards per game so far this year. Over the course of this year, they have allowed 573 yards on the ground through 5 outings. The Badgers rank 24th in D-1 when it comes to their opponents scoring, giving up 16.6 points per contest.

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The Bruins come into this game with a record of 5-0 this season. In their last game, the Bruins went home victorious with a score of 17-15 when they faced the Oregon Ducks. UCLA ran for 3.0 yds per carry, finishing with 140 yards on 47 attempts. The Bruins finished the game with a total of 345 yards and they ran 70 plays (4.9 yds per play). The Bruins pass defense gave up a completion rate of 48.6%, surrendering 199 yards on 17 for 35 passing. UCLA conceded 27 rush attempts for 73 yards (2.7 yds per rush).

The UCLA Bruins have an average of 458.2 yards/contest, ranking them 27th in D-1. The UCLA offense has racked up 421 penalty yds on 49 violations, which is 13th in college football in terms of making mistakes. They are averaging 253.2 rushing yards per game and have toted the ball for 1,266 yards in total. They have thrown 4 picks while surrendering 3 fumbles and they have been able to tally 110 1st downs. When discussing their scoring prowess, the Bruins are ranked 19th in the nation scoring 39.2 points per game. During this campaign to this point, the Bruins have thrown for a total of 1,025 passing yards in addition to an average of 205.0 passing yards per game, ranking them 93rd in D-1.

UCLA has allowed a total of 438 yards rushing (87.6 yards/game) as well as 4 touchdowns by way of the ground game this year. They have given up 7 touchdowns via the pass as well as 220.4 yards per outing, which puts them in 89th in college football. This season, they have surrendered 90 points. They have totaled 9 fumbles and 10 interceptions on the campaign. The Bruins defense has been on the field for 333 plays, which ranks them 31st in the country. The Bruins are giving up 18.0 points per contest, ranking them 30th in the nation.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Badgers +3.5

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