- Matchup: UCLA Bruins vs California Golden Bears
- Scheduled Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Venue: California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA
- Broadcast: ESPN+
- Betting Odds: Golden Bears (+1.5)
- Total Points Over-Under: 53.5
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The California Golden Bears (7-6 in the previous season) will face off against the UCLA Bruins (3-9 last year) at California Memorial Stadium on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The Bruins are slight favorites by 1.5 points, with the over/under total set at 53.5.
Last season, the UCLA Bruins finished with a disappointing 3-9 record. Their most recent match ended in a 29-10 defeat to the USC Trojans. During that game, UCLA executed 64 plays, accumulating 308 yards of total offense. The Bruins had 26 carries, gaining 108 rushing yards, averaging 4.2 yards per run. On the defensive side, UCLA allowed 131 rushing yards on 26 attempts, translating to 5.0 yards per rush. Additionally, the Bruins surrendered 21 completions out of 29 attempts, resulting in 257 passing yards, with a completion rate of 72.4%.
Overall, the Bruins totaled 3,839 yards for the entire season. They recorded 16 touchdown passes alongside 8 rushing touchdowns, while committing 13 turnovers. As a team, they achieved 208 first downs, but were hindered by 90 penalties totaling 786 yards. UCLA averaged 139.7 rushing yards per game, ranking 85th in college football, and scored an average of 18.2 points per game.
In terms of defense, the Bruins ranked 127th nationally, allowing an average of 33.4 points per game. They conceded 5.2 yards per rushing attempt and 190.4 rushing yards on average per game, totaling 2,285 yards allowed on the ground for the season. In the passing game, they gave up 2,359 yards, placing them 20th in the nation, with an average of 196.6 passing yards allowed per game and a completion rate of 65.8%. Overall, UCLA allowed 387.0 yards per game, ranking them 85th in Division 1, with 23 passing touchdowns and 26 rushing touchdowns surrendered.
The Golden Bears concluded their previous season at 7-6. Their last outing ended in a narrow 35-31 defeat against the Hawaii Warriors. In that contest, California accumulated 480 total yards on 67 plays (averaging 7.2 yards per play). They rushed for 144 yards on 28 attempts, averaging 5.1 yards per rush. On defense, the Golden Bears allowed 23 rushing attempts for 93 yards (averaging 4.0 yards per rush), while their pass defense yielded a completion rate of 69.4%, allowing 302 yards on 34 completions out of 49 attempts.
Regarding offensive performance, the Golden Bears ranked 86th in the nation, averaging 25.3 points per game. Their offense produced an average of 357.6 yards per game, which placed them 89th in Division 1. California committed 101 penalties amounting to 840 penalty yards, ranking them 9th nationally in penalty yards. Their passing attack accumulated 3,587 yards overall, averaging 275.9 passing yards per game, which ranked 19th in Division 1. They also achieved 1,062 rushing yards, averaging 81.7 yards per game.
Defensively, California allowed 27.2 points per game, placing them 82nd nationally. They conceded 2,036 rushing yards over the season (averaging 156.6 yards per game) and 23 rushing touchdowns. In the passing game, they allowed 14 touchdowns and an average of 205.2 passing yards per game, ranking them 45th in Division 1. The Golden Bears’ defense was on the field for 852 plays, ranking 75th nationally, and they recorded 5 fumbles and 8 interceptions last season, yielding a total of 354 points.
Who will claim victory in this Bruins vs. Golden Bears matchup against the spread?
Prediction: Bet on the Bruins -1.5
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