UCLA (0-1) @ UNLV (2-0)
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
Date/Time: Saturday, September 6, 2025, 5:00 PM PST
Broadcast: CBS Sports Network
Lines: UCLA -2.5, O/U 54.5
UNLV is looking to keep its momentum going as it takes on its toughest challenge of the season, the UCLA Bruins.
UNLV
UNLV showed a lot of promise in its second game of the season. The first half was pure dominance throughout the board. They slipped in the second half but were able to hold on thanks to outstanding performances
by Anthony Colandrea and Jaden Bradley.
Colandrea has really stepped up and has looked extremely accurate. In his two games, he has completed 77.3% of his passing attempts. It seems that Colandrea is the quarterback UNLV will run the offense with for the foreseeable future.
Jaden Bradley has really shone ever since Ricky White III and Jacob DeJesus left. He sat behind them this year, and he’s taken full advantage of every lesson learned throughout last season. He leads the nation in receiving yards with 256. He has averaged 128 yards per game and looks incredible.
The real star has been Jai’Den Thomas. He is still on his quest to prove he is the best running back in the Mountain West. He leads the nation in rushing yards with 212; he’s averaging 11.2 yards per carry, and he has looked unstoppable.
The defense needs to show more heart. They’ve given up 887 yards so far this season, and that’s not good. They are in the bottom 15 in passing yards allowed per game with 291 and bottom 50 in rushing yards allowed per game with 152.5. Marsel McDuffie and Aamaris Brown have looked great, but overall, the defense has looked weak.
UCLA
UCLA took on Utah last week, and they looked rough. They lost 43-10 at home and had 220 yards of offense compared to Utah’s 492 yards.
Nico Iamaleava is UCLA’s leader at quarterback. He played at Tennessee last season and led the team to the CFP. In the offseason, he had an NIL dispute with the school and decided to transfer to UCLA. His first start with the Bruins wasn’t pretty. He only completed 11 of his 22 passing attempts, threw for 136 yards, and threw an interception.
Iamaleava was stellar last season for the Tennessee Volunteers, and Bruins fans are hoping that his last performance was a fluke. Anthony Woods was the only one who scored on offense last week for UCLA. He’s a transfer running back from Utah; he had 61 all-purpose yards and a touchdown to start his season.
Some names to look out for on offense are Kwazi Gilmer, Mikey Matthews, Titus Mokiao-Atimala, and Jaivian Thomas. If Iamaleava can perform better, these will be scary.
Gilmer is a sophomore who had 345 receiving yards last season. Matthews is a transfer from Cal who adds versatility to the receiving game. Mokaio-Atimalala is looking to step up to the plate in his second year with the Bruins. Thomas is also a transfer from Cal, where he was stuck behind Jaydn Ott last year. He averaged 6.3 yards per carry last year.
UCLA has weapons; whether Iamaleava can find and utilize them is yet to be seen.
Defensively, UCLA got torched. Utah quarterback Devon Dampier gave them 206 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown. The defense couldn’t stop the rushing game either, letting up 286 rushing yards between three different running backs and Dampier.
KEYS TO THE GAME
- Dominate the Run Game
UCLA gave up 286 yards on the ground to Utah. UNLV has one of the best running backs in the nation in Jai’Den Thomas. He needs to run all over them. If he’s able to consistently mow down defenders like he did against Idaho State, UNLV will be set up for success.
- Give Colandrea Time in the Pocket
Colandrea has a great pocket presence. If he faces pressure, he can scramble out and give himself more time. UNLV needs the front five to protect to the best of their abilities. If Colandrea has time in the pocket, nothing can stop him. He’s gotten sacked in every game so far; that trend needs to end.
- Limit Explosive Plays
UNLV’s defense has given up three 50+ yard touchdowns so far this season. Iamaleava is a great quarterback who has big-play ability. They need to prevent big plays downfield and force UCLA to drive methodically. If UNLV’s defense can do that, its odds look a lot better.
PREDICTION
Nico Iamaleava and UCLA didn’t look great to start their season. Was it a fluke? We’ll find that out on Saturday. I’d like to believe that it wasn’t a fluke. UNLV has looked strong. The offensive unit has clicked. I believe that UNLV will win 27-23 and show the entire country that Dan Mullen and the Rebels mean business.
