Washington vs. UCLA: TV info, betting odds, and expert predictions
The Washington Huskies hit the road for the first time this season on Friday night to battle the UCLA Bruins. It’ll be a clash of Pac-12 unbeatens in the Rose Bowl, as both sides are off to 4-0 starts.
On the Washington side of things, we think we have a clearer idea of what this UW team is. Washington has a 39-28 win over then-No. 11 Michigan State on its résumé and beatdowns of Kent State, Portland State, and Stanford. UCLA is a little tougher to gauge, with its wins coming against Bowling Green, Alabama State, South Alabama, and Colorado. The Falcons and Buffs are a combined 1-7. Alabama State (from the FCS ranks) is 2-2. The Jaguars are 3-1 and gave UCLA the toughest test — a 24-yard field goal as time expired gave the Bruins a 32-31 win.
But it’s completely plausible that we don’t know enough about either of these two teams yet. Both will be looking to validate their starts and solidify themselves as contenders in the Pac-12. Washington is by far the toughest team UCLA has faced yet, and the same can be said going the other way. It should be an entertaining game, with the potential for plenty of explosive offense.
Michael Penix Jr., Washington’s first-year quarterback, leads the country in passing yards per game (347). He transferred to UW this offseason after four years at Indiana and has combined with coach Kalen DeBoer to turn the UW attack into one of the most explosive in the country. UCLA hasn’t been that, but it also hasn’t struggled to put points on the board. How does a Bruin offense that doesn’t really produce negative plays contend with a Husky front that creates a ton of them?
UCLA has won seven straight games — tied for the third-longest active streak in the FBS. But since 2015, the Bruins are 0-11 against the AP top 15. Since Chip Kelly took over in 2018, he’s 0-6. Can he get his first on Friday?
Here are all the details you need for the game
TV and kickoff time
Kickoff time: 7:30 p.m. PT
TV network: ESPN; fans can also watch the game live on Watch ESPN with a cable or satellite provider login
Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena
Betting odds
Line: Washington -2.5
Total: 66.5
Money line: Washington -140, UCLA +116
Expert predictions
ESPN’s FPI gives Washington a 54.5% chance of winning.
Bill Connelly’s SP+ is calling for a 29-26 Bruin victory.
Dawgman.com’s Chris Fetters has UW winning 34-25. Here’s some of what he wrote:
… At the end of the day, the Huskies are going to have to do the same things they’ve been doing all season long; get off to a strong start, win the turnover and field position battle, run the ball well enough to open up their passing attack, and limit Zach Charbonnet and turn the Bruins into a one-dimensional attack. That should be the game plan, but on the road even the best-laid plans can turn to junk in a heartbeat. How UW handles adversity on the road will tell the tale here as the game will be a one-score affair heading into the fourth quarter, and the calm presence of Michael Penix Jr. should continue to win the day for the Huskies as they go 5-0.
BruinReportOnline’s David Woods also sees a Washington win, 42-31. Here’s some of what he wrote:
… it’s easier to imagine UCLA’s offense stalling out a couple of times than it is to see the same from Washington, given the respective matchups. A couple big sacks, with Trice or ZTF eating up DiGiorgio, could be enough to stall UCLA out a few times, and it’s just harder to imagine the Bruins stringing together those sorts of defensive plays on their side, given the quality of Washington’s offensive line and receiving corps. It’s certainly possible for UCLA to win – get into a shootout, stiffen up in the red zone on defense, and have DTR go off – but playing the likelihoods, this matchup favors the road Huskies in too many ways.
The Seattle Times’ Mike Vorel has the Huskies winning 38-27. Here’s some of what he wrote:
… there’s little to suggest UCLA will slow Penix and Washington’s prolific passing attack. As they have thus far, expect Penix to find a rhythm and the UW defense to force a turnover or two. DeBoer will win inside the Rose Bowl for a second consecutive season (though this one won’t be quite so close).
All Bruins’ Sam Connon also has UW winning, 38-34. Here’s some of what he wrote:
Penix’s connection with his top-three receivers may be too much to overcome, though, and Thompson-Robinson would have to play a mistake-free game to keep up. That’s more likely than it was three years ago thanks to Thompson-Robinson’s vast experience as a starter, but if he is under pressure all night long, he may make a mistake regardless.