UCLA vs UNLV Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 6, 2025
The UCLA Bruins (0-1, 1-0 O/U) are facing off against the UNLV Rebels (2-0, 1-1 O/U) are battling it out in Week 2 of the 2024 college football season on Saturday night inside Allegiant Stadium in nonconference action for our Bruins vs. Rebels prediction. The Bruins are coming off a 43-10 home loss on Saturday against the Utah Utes. The Rebels are looking to continue winning as they opened the season on a two-game winning streak after a 38-21 road win over the Sam Houston Bearkats on Saturday. This is the third game that these teams are facing off and UCLA holds a 2-0 all-time record. Before kickoff: NCAAF predictions for UCLA Bruins vs UNLV Rebels in a clean snapshot.
Bruins Looking to Bounce Back
The UCLA Bruins are looking to shake off a slow opening game to drop to 0-1 on the season after a miserable performance on both sides of the football. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava struggled in his school debut after a high-profile exit from the Tennessee Volunteers as he completed just 11-of-22 (50.0%) passes for 136 yards with a passing touchdown and an interception. Their offense as a whole has not done well as they are averaging just 10.0 points per game.
The defense for the Bruins has been struggling to begin the season as they allowed 43.0 points per game thus far. The defense statistically could not get muster much as they did not record a sack or an interception.
Injury Report for UCLA
- Quarterback Karson Gordon: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Cornerback Marquise Villahermosa: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Carter Shaw: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Offensive lineman K.D. Arnold: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive lineman Tyler Partlow: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Cornerback Kuron Jabari Jr: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive lineman Robert James III: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive lineman Nico Davillier: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Rico Flores Jr: Knee (Questionable)
- Offensive guard Jaylan Jeffers: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Offensive guard Noah Pulealii: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Offensive guard Yutaka Mahe: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive lineman Ashton Sanders: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Cornerback Jamier Johnson: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Cornerback LaRue Zamorano III: Undisclosed (Questionable)
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Rebels Looking to Remain Undefeated
The UNLV Rebels are looking to continue playing well as they are a perfect 2-0 so far this season. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea has played at an excellent level as he has completed 34-of-44 (77.3%) of his passes for 444 yards with three passing touchdowns to one interception while also running 19 times for 116 yards (6.1 yards per carry) and an additional touchdown. The running game also has running back Jai’Den Thomas stepping up as in just 19 rushing attempts has tallied 212 yards (11.2 yards per carry) with four rushing touchdowns while adding five receptions for 19 yards. They have been massive reasons for the team scoring 41.0 points per game thus far.
The defense has done a respectable job in the early portion of the year as they are allowing 26.0 points per game. UNLV has done an excellent job as they have recorded five sacks and five turnovers (all interceptions) through their first two games. If the defense can continue to force takeaways at this level, they are going to be difficult to beat.
Injury Report for UNLV
No Injuries to Report
UCLA vs. UNLV Pick
Spread Pick for UCLA vs. UNLV
- UNLV Rebels +115 (4 units)
The UNLV Rebels are clicking right now, while the UCLA Bruins had as rough of a start to their season as you could have expected. Coach Dan Mullen has the Rebels playing well and the offensive strategy is keeping pressure on the opposition. It is fair to say the competition has not been the stiffest, but they have exceeded expectations. UCLA, on the other hand, has left a lot to be desired and it is difficult to imagine a complete 180 on both sides of the football just a week after an embarrassing loss. This Rebels defense can get to Nico Iamaleava quickly and the connection with the wide receivers does not seem to be there yet. All in all, go with the UNLV Rebels to win at home as the home underdog.
Over/Under Pick for UCLA vs. UNLV
- Over 53.5 (5 units)
Nico Iamaleava is certainly a better quarterback than the opening game of the season indicated, while the offense for UNLV has clicked offensively, averaging almost the entire total themselves to begin the season. The program is averaging 5.9 yards per carry, so they can effectively move the chains throughout the game as well. The Rebels’ defense has been able to force takeaways in the opening two games, so they can give their offense short fields to score as well. The over seemingly makes the most sense, so go with the over to hit here.
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