Minnesota vs. UCLA prediction: Odds, expert picks, how to watch, QB matchup, betting trends, and stats

The Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-3, 1-2 in Big Ten) and UCLA Bruins (1-4, 0-3 in Big Ten) meet for a Big Ten battle in Los Angeles.

Minnesota is 3-3 this year and coming off an upset home win versus USC after back-to-back losses to Iowa (31-14) and Michigan (27-24). Minnesota has been a rough stretch of opponents and it doesn’t get any easier with this trap spot for the Gophers out West. Minnesota finished last season 6-7 after a Quick Lane Bowl victory (30-24) over Bowling Green.

UCLA is 1-4 and coming off four straight losses. The lone victory came at Hawaii (16-14) and the Bruins needed a second-half comeback. UCLA is in its first year in the Big Ten and has improved each week but a stretch of Indiana, LSU, Oregon, and Penn State has been as tough as anybody’s schedule. The Bruins finished last season 8-5 with a 35-22 win in the Starco Brands LA Bowl over Boise State.

NBC Sports has all the latest info and analysis you need, including how to tune in for kickoff, odds from BetMGM, player news and updates, and of course our predictions and best bets for the game from our staff of experts.

Listen to the B1G Talk podcast with Todd Blackledge and Noah Eagle for the most compelling storylines across all of college football, with the biggest teams on the rise and the latest rankings!

Game Details and How to watch Minnesota @ UCLA

• Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
• Time: 9:00 PM EST
• Site: Rose Bowl Stadium
• City: Los Angeles, CA
• TV/Streaming: Big Ten Network

Want to check out the other games on the College Football schedule this week? We’ve got you covered right here on NBC Sports with all the matchup, venue, game-time and TV/streaming info so you won’t miss any of the action!

Game odds for Minnesota @ UCLA – Week 7

The latest odds as of Monday afternoon:

o Moneyline: Minnesota -210, UCLA +170
o Spread: Minnesota -5.5 (-110)
o Total: 40.5 points

*odds courtesy of BetMGM

The spread opened at Minnesota -6.5 and at one point touched Minnesota -4.5 before settling between -5 and -5.5 at most sportsbooks. The opening total of 42.5 has been bet down to 40.5, so UCLA’s spread and the Under have been where the respected money has gone.

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) has the following best bets for Saturday’s matchup between Minnesota and UCLA:
“Minnesota has played Iowa, Michigan, then USC over the last three weeks, while UCLA has played LSU, Oregon, and Penn State, alternating home and road games traveling across the country, so both teams are on a tough stretch of opponents and travel.

I know everyone thinks the Bruins stink, but they are getting better and that was proved against LSU and Penn State specifically. With a bye week following this game for Minnesota, it’s a trap spot for the Gophers as they travel out West, something they don’t do often.

I would take a hard look at the UCLA Bruins to cover the +5.5 or take a small shot on backing the Bruins in the first quarter or first half.”

BetMGM College Football Insights: National Championship

Line movement (Last Week to Now)
· Ohio State +375 to +300
· Texas +500 to +450
· Georgia +650 to +500

Biggest Liabilities
· Tennessee
· Ohio State
· Colorado

College Football talk is taking over Bet the Edge every Thursday throughout the season. Bet the EDGE is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Vaughn Dalzell, Eric Froton, and Brad Thomas’ insights Thursdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Quarterback matchup for Minnesota @ UCLA

• Minnesota: Max Brosmer has 1,263 passing yards, 6 touchdowns to 4 interceptions, and a 67.6% completion percentage. Brosmer completed over 62% of his passes in the last two seasons with New Hampshire in addition to a combined 6,613 passing yards.
• UCLA: Ethan Garbers was injured against Penn State last week and with 3 touchdowns to 6 interceptions over five games, there’s a chance UCLA will move on from him entirely. Justyn Martin will likely fill in as the starter as he went 22-of-30 (73.3%) passing for one touchdown and zero interceptions versus Penn State last week.

Bruins @ Golden Gophers player news & recent stats

• UCLA covered the Spread in 4 of its last 5 games as an underdog.
• UCLA has lost 8 of its last 10 games on the ML as an underdog.
• Minnesota is 4-2 ATS this season (4-1 in L5) and 3-3 to the Under.
• The average total game score (52.3) in UCLA’s last 10 home games is over the Total (40.5).

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

• Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
• Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
• Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
• Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
• Eric Froton (@CFFroton)