UCLA vs. Michigan State 2025 Preview: Keys, Players, and Predictions

The UCLA Bruins are coming off a performance that proved why anything can happen in college football. The Blue and Gold were the first team in over 40 years to start a season 0-4 and topple a top-10-ranked opponent. A dominant 42-37 victory over No. 7 Penn State last week felt like a National Championship setting, but in reality, it was just the Bruins’ first win on the year, moving to 1-4 (1-1 Big Ten).

“Are we one hit wonders?” was what Bruins head coach Tim Skipper asked his team to motivate them. “The product on Saturday needs to reflect how it was last Saturday, every single Saturday.”

Now that UCLA has entered the win column, a trip to the Midwest for a Week 7 matchup against 3-2 (0-2 Big Ten) Michigan State is presented. The Skipper-led Bruins will look to ride their season-best outing into Spartan Stadium on Saturday and inch closer to a .500 record.

UCLA Bruins vs. Michigan State Spartans: Matchup History

Much like its other Big Ten opponents, UCLA has yet to establish a significant history against Michigan State.

The two programs have only faced off six times, splitting the all-time series at three apiece. We would have to turn back to 1974 to find their latest matchup. For what it’s worth, the Bruins have won the last three games against the Spartans and will look to extend that streak 50 years later.

UCLA opens up as a +7.5 underdog for the Saturday morning kickoff.

UCLA vs. Michigan State 2025 Preview: Keys, Players and Predictions

Key Players for Bruins

For any continued success, UCLA must continue to establish its rushing attack. Surprisingly, it starts with quarterback Nico Iamaleava. He’s been a dual-threat all season and currently leads the team in rushing with 332 yards (26 yards shy of career-high) and four touchdowns (career-high). He’s not afraid to use his legs and embraces  the contact.

Michigan State has been susceptible to the run, allowing over 100 yards per game. So, if the Bruins can find a way to get north of that mark, they should be able to control the flow.

The rest of the backfield has not been as dynamic, as Anthony Woods, Jaivian Thomas and Jalen Berger have combined for just 422 yards and zero rushing scores. For the Bruins to match up well against tough Big Ten competition, the three upperclassmen must be more effective. The A gap has not been kind to this backfield, so attacking the outside and finding an edge could play in favor of the skillset of the three backs.

Key Players for Spartans

Michigan State doesn’t necessarily stand out in the stat sheet, but its consistency has made it lethal. The Spartans have yet to score under 20 points this year and have experienced both ends of shootouts. A large part of that success can be attributed to the connection quarterback Aidan Chiles has built with his transfer wideout Omari Kelly.

Kelly’s 22 receptions accounts for 27.8-percent of Chiles’ completions, and his 326 yards makes up for 34.2  percent of Chiles’ 953 yards. The QB-WR duo has made plays all year long, exposing defenses deep down the field. For a UCLA defense that has yet to have a lockdown performance, Chiles and Kelly can be difficult for the Bruins to keep in check.

Additionally, an underwhelming outing against Nebraska last week could be all the motivation both need to secure their first Big Ten win.

UCLA’s Path to Victory

Though the Bruins have eclipsed 100 ground yards in four of their five games, most of those numbers have been limited due to the large margins UCLA finds itself trailing. In the three contests that concluded in a one-possession difference, the Blue and Gold have averaged 194.67 rushing yards.

Keeping downs and distances manageable for UCLA’s offense, being able to break defenses down with the run will remain crucial in a Saturday morning win. The Bruins will look to grab their second straight win for the first time since November of last year.

It’ll also be interesting to see how well newly appointed offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel can rally his group in his second-ever play-calling opportunity. The Blue and Gold’s offense looked elite last week against a top-ranked defense as it racked up a season-high 446 total yards and converted over 60 percent of its third downs.

“Now we have to try to turn this moment into momentum and keep it rolling,” Neuheisel said.

A replicate performance could turn Westwood into a party town again.