Utah vs UCLA NCAAF Week 1 Preview and Prediction August 30, 2025

Utah vs UCLA August 30, 2025 @ Los Angeles, CA

Opening Betting Odds

Spread: UTAH -5 / UCLA +5
Moneyline: UTAH -185 / UCLA +155
Total: 50.5

Preview

Two former PAC12 rivals will meet in Week 1, and Utah has had the better of UCLA winning six of the last seven and seven of the last 10 meetings. With Utah now in the BIG12 and UCLA in the BIG10, this is now a non-conference matchup.

Both these teams are coming off disappointing 5-7 seasons, and both teams will come into the 2025 season with a new starting quarterback. Expectations are high for Utah, but not so much for the UCLA Bruins. While Utah is expected to compete for a conference championship, the Bruins are 200-1 to win the BIG10.

Utah

• 5-7 Overall in 2024
• 2-7 in the BIG12 in 2024
• 5-7 ATS in 2024

The last two seasons have been derailed by injuries to Cam Rising, but the Utes will move on with Devon Dampier coming over from New Mexico. The transition will be made easier by the fact that his offensive coordinator Jason Beck also makes the move from the Lobos.

Dampier is a true dual threat quarterback, throwing for 2,768 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and running for 1,166 yards and 19 touchdowns. Utah returns 72 percent of it’s starting production on offense, and just over 50 percent of their starters on the defensive side of the ball.

Phil Steele ranks Utah 2nd in his BIG12 rankings ahead of the 2025 season.

UCLA

• 5-7 Overall in 2024
• 3-6 in the BIG10 in 2024
• 6-6 ATS in 2024

Nico Iamaleava’s dispute with Tennessee over money resulted in him leaving the team to accept far less money at UCLA. When you consider the higher taxes in California, you really have to question the decision making of the Bruins new quarterback.

The Bruins rank 111th in returning production, and they will have a revamped offensive line, new faces in the receiving corps and Cal transfer Jaivian Thomas at running back. Thomas ran for 626 yards and seven touchdowns with the Bears last year.

The bookmakers are not predicting any improvement from UCLA, setting their win total at 5.5.

Relevant Trends

• The Utes are 1-7 SU in their last 8 overall.
• The Utes are 6-1 SU in their last 7 vs UCLA.
• The Utes are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 vs UCLA.
• The Under is 7-3 in the Bruins last 10 overall.
• The Under is 3-1 in the Bruins last 4 overall.

PREDICTION: UTAH 33 – UCLA 17

These two programs are miles apart. Kyle Wittingham has delivered stability and consistency in Utah, while the Bruins are still reeling after an unsuccessful stint with Chip Kelly. Deshaun Foster is young and inexperienced, but they probably said the same thing about Marcus Freeman a few years ago. UCLA just doesn’t have the personnel to compete with a playoff contender.