Nebraska vs UCLA College Football Week 11 Picks & Predictions

The Week 11 Big Ten showdown between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and UCLA Bruins carries a unique mix of uncertainty and intrigue.

A season ago, UCLA pulled off a surprise 27–20 road win at Nebraska as a 7.5-point underdog, and now both programs head into this matchup looking to establish momentum down the stretch of the 2025 season.

UCLA comes into the contest off a bye week, rested and prepared. Nebraska, meanwhile, faces a tough emotional and physical rebound after a home loss to USC, made even more challenging by a major injury at quarterback. Let’s break this Nebraska vs UCLA matchup using matchup insights from WagerTalk!

Nebraska’s Quarterback Situation

The story of this week begins under center for Nebraska. Starting quarterback Dylan Raiola suffered a season-ending leg injury, ending what had been an up-and-down first year as the full-time starter.

With Raiola out, the offense now turns to freshman backup T.J. Lateef, who was thrust into action against USC and struggled in limited work — completing almost nothing through the air, finishing with seven passing yards on seven attempts.

However, context matters. Lateef was thrown into the game mid-stream against one of the toughest defensive fronts in the conference. Now, with a full week of preparation and a playbook tailored to his strengths, expectations are that the young quarterback will be in a much better position to execute.

The offensive coaching staff will likely simplify the game plan and build around the running game and quick passing concepts to help Lateef gain confidence early.

Evaluating Dylan Raiola’s Season

While Raiola’s injury is certainly a blow to the Cornhuskers’ continuity, his individual production wasn’t exactly irreplaceable. In Big Ten play, Raiola averaged 18.2 pass completions per game while throwing 10 touchdown passesand six interceptions.

The biggest red flag in Raiola’s season was his protection. He was sacked 24 times in six conference games, a number that speaks to both offensive line struggles and Raiola’s tendency to hold the ball too long in the pocket.

That lack of efficiency put pressure on Nebraska’s defense to carry games, and it also limited explosive plays through the air.

Given those numbers, matching Raiola’s output is not an impossible task for Lateef. The freshman doesn’t have to be spectacular — he just needs to play within himself, avoid turnovers, and take advantage of opportunities when UCLA’s defense over-commits.

UCLA’s Position Coming Off the Bye

For UCLA, the timing of the bye week couldn’t have been better. The Bruins enter this matchup well-rested and focused after their off week, giving their defense extra time to prepare for Nebraska’s restructured offense.

Last year, the Bruins’ 27–20 win in Lincoln came as a result of a balanced performance on both sides of the ball.

Their defensive unit held Nebraska’s rushing attack in check while capitalizing on turnovers. If UCLA can reproduce even part of that defensive performance, they’ll have an advantage against a Nebraska team breaking in a new starter at quarterback.

Still, there’s an element of volatility in this game. Backup quarterbacks can create unpredictability for opposing defenses, particularly when the offensive system adjusts significantly. The extra preparation time for both sides adds another layer of intrigue to this Week 11 matchup.

Nebraska vs UCLA Prediction: Over 44.5

From a betting perspective, one of the most notable factors surrounding this game is the point total. This is by far the lowest total in a Bruins game this season, and according to market movement, it’s dropped slightly heading into the weekend.

While the cautious tone is understandable — given Nebraska’s offensive uncertainty — the number may have over-corrected.

UCLA’s defense has shown inconsistency at times, and Nebraska’s offense, despite losing Raiola, still possesses playmakers capable of breaking big runs and converting on short-yardage drives.

The lower total suggests expectations for a defensive battle, but the market may have gone too far in that direction.

Both teams have enough offensive potential to push the final score higher than projected if drives are sustained and turnovers are limited.

⭐ Pick Rating: 2.5 Stars

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WagerTalk Live Odds Screen

WagerTalk’s live odds screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the moneylines, point spreads, totals and betting percentages for all of the college football Week 11 games, including Mountain West college football contests. Find free college football picks from season win total bets through National Championship futures on our free picks pages.

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