UCLA is favored to win by the model, but Nebraska has shown value early and against low-scoring opponents. In a matchup where defensive efficiency outweighs offensive explosiveness, the spread, the total, and the moneyline are all in play for bettors expecting another grind-it-out night at the Rose Bowl.

The Bruins host the Huskers for a crucial matchup, here's who needs to step up on the offensive side of the ball.

The UCLA Bruins (3-5) take on a conference opponent when they host the Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-3) on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at the Rose Bowl in a Big Ten clash. The Bruins enter the matchup after losing 56-6 to the Indiana Hoosiers in their last outing on Oct. 25. Last time out, the Cornhuskers lost 21-17 to the USC Trojans.

What’s at stake, injuries, who’s better, key matchups, TV info and prediction for Saturday evening’s Big Ten game against the Cornhuskers.

One of UCLA's most frequent matchups in terms of Big Ten opponents, Nebraska and the Bruins have played 14 times historically and split the series 7-7 so far. Their last matchup was in November last season and the Bruins won in Lincoln, 27-20.

After a 50-point loss to Indiana, the Bruins used the bye week to return to details, like Tim Skipper did upon taking over to spark a three-game winning streak.

UCLA is last in the conference in penalties and penalty yards. Nebraska will need to use this to their advantage and capitalize on the mistakes of the Bruins. Once again they’ll need to keep cool heads if the game gets a little chippy, but overall they did pretty well with this last week with USC.

Nebraska is coming off one of the toughest, most gut punch losses in recent memory (and friends, that is saying something). After losing to both USC and UCLA la