The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-2) host the UCLA Bruins (1-5) on Saturday afternoon in the first-ever matchup between these two programs. This game will be broadcasted on FS1.
Both teams are looking to get back on track after bad losses last weekend, with Rutgers getting blown out by Wisconsin (42-7) and UCLA blowing a fourth-quarter lead to Minnesota to lose 21-17.
This noon ET kickoff is a big test for both teams as we enter the second half of the season.
The Scarlet Knights are favored by 4.5 points on the spread and -178 on the moneyline. The total is also set at 40.5.
Here's a look at my UCLA vs. Rutgers predictions and college football picks for Saturday, Oct. 19.
UCLA vs Rutgers Prediction
- UCLA vs Rutgers Pick: Rutgers (-4.5)
My UCLA vs Rutgers best bet is on the Scarlet Knights spread, with the best line currently available at FanDuel, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
UCLA vs Rutgers Odds
| UCLA Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -115 | 40.5 -112o / -108u | +146 |
| Rutgers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -105 | 40.5 -112o / -108u | -178 |
- UCLA vs Rutgers Point Spread: UCLA +4.5 (-115) · Rutgers -4.5 (-105)
- UCLA vs Rutgers Total: Over/Under 40.5 (-118o/-108u)
- UCLA vs Rutgers Moneyline: UCLA +146 · Rutgers -178
UCLA vs Rutgers Preview
UCLA Football
The haters were right about this 2024 UCLA squad.
In fact, they may have given the Bruins too much credit. UCLA was picked to finish 15th in the Big Ten in the preseason media poll, and now it is clear it is the worst or second-worst team in the conference.
Things are bad in Westwood. Quarterback Ethan Garbers has four touchdown passes and nine interceptions, while rushing leader T.J. Harden is averaging three yards per carry. It's no wonder the Bruins offense is scoring just 14.5 points per game.
Whether it's Rush Success Rate, Pass Success Rate or Offensive Finishing Drives, UCLA ranks 104th or worse. Not good! This offense is barely functional and it's the main reason why the Bruins enter this game at 1-5.
Defensively, UCLA hasn't been much better. The unit was competent in its last two games, allowing 27 and 21 points, but it is still giving up 28.5 points per game this season and isn't pressuring the quarterback with just nine total sacks so far.
Action Network's advanced metrics paint an even worse picture for the Bruins. They are 124th in quality drives allowed, 96th in Rush Success Rate allowed and 108th in Pass Success Rate allowed.
Rutgers Football
Look at that — Rutgers is 4-2!
After making a bowl game last year, the Scarlet Knights are back on pace to play in a bowl again. They certainly didn't look the part of a bowl team last weekend when they got destroyed by Wisconsin 42-7, but the fact that those blowout losses are much less common shows how much Greg Schiano has improved this program.
It all starts with running back Kyle Monangai. The senior tailback enters this weekend sixth in the nation with 739 rushing yards and is clearly the top offensive weapon on the team. Rutgers is 37th in Rush Success Rate with Monangai leading the charge.
It's a good thing the Scarlet Knights can lean on him, because their passing attack leaves a lot to be desired. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis has thrown for 1,050 yards, eight touchdowns and four picks, but he's only completing 52.1% of his passes and six of his touchdown passes came against Howard and Akron.
In Big Ten play, Kaliakmanis has two touchdown passes against three interceptions and hasn't thrown for 200 yards in a game. Unsurprisingly, Rutgers is 97th in Pass Success Rate and 113th in Offensive Finishing Drives.
The Scarlet Knights' defense has also been a big factor in their success. They are only allowing 20.2 points per game, and their only bad outing of the season was last week, when they gave up 42 points to the Badgers. Despite having only nine sacks, they are 22nd in Pass Success Rate allowed and 17th in quality drives allowed.
Rutgers' run defense is an issue, though, as it gives up 182.8 rushing yards per game and ranks 122nd in Rush Success Rate allowed.
UCLA vs Rutgers Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how UCLA and Rutgers match up statistically:
UCLA Offense vs. Rutgers Defense
 |  Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 134 | 122 | |
| Line Yards | 132 | 105 | |
| Pass Success | 104 | 22 | |
| Havoc | 117 | 104 | |
| Finishing Drives | 122 | 41 | |
| Quality Drives | 75 | 17 | |
Rutgers Offense vs. UCLA Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 37 | 96 | |
| Line Yards | 52 | 50 |  |
| Pass Success | 97 | 108 | |
| Havoc | 13 | 87 | |
| Finishing Drives | 113 | 120 | |
| Quality Drives | 103 | 124 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 62 | 28 |
| PFF Coverage | 107 | 30 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 65 | 98 |
| Middle 8 | 50 | 67 |
| Seconds per Play | 30.6 (126) | 27.7 (77) |
| Rush Rate | 44% (126) | 59% (32) |
UCLA vs Rutgers Prediction
There really isn't a reason to back UCLA in this one.
While Rutgers has its flaws, it has a clear identity and a good enough roster to take care of business against an objectively bad Bruins squad. The Scarlet Knights should be fully motivated after suffering a blowout loss, and UCLA also has to deal with playing at 9 a.m. Pacific Time.
Look for Rutgers' defense and run game to lead the way and take the Scarlet Knights to cover against the Bruins.
Pick: Rutgers -4.5 (Play to -5)
UCLA vs Rutgers Start Time, Channel, Streaming, How to Watch
| Location: | Piscataway, NJ |
| Date: | Saturday, Oct. 19 |
| Kickoff Time: | 12 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | FS1 |
UCLA takes on Rutgers in Piscataway, New Jersey, on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 12 p.m. ET on FS1.
UCLA vs Rutgers Weather
