Last year was an unusual step back for the Utah Utes. That sets up a 2025 season of College Football Betting redemption. At the onset of 2024, Utah was the preseason favorite to win the Big 12. But the season was quickly derailed by injuries. Following the program’s first losing season since ‘13, the Utes are primed for a significant rebound. Especially after coach Kyle Whittingham made a couple of key offseason adjustments. Fixing an anemic offense was Whittingham’s top priority. Correlate that with coordinator Jason Beck and quarterback Devon Dampier arriving from New Mexico.
Utah Utes at UCLA Bruins NCAAF Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Saturday, August 30, 2025, 11 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA |
| TV Coverage: | FOX |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | -6 -107 | 51½ -115 | -225 |  |
| UCLA | +6 -113 | 51½ -105 | +189 | |
| ||||
Utah Utes Team Overview
Indeed, Dampier should be among the Big 12’s most dynamic signal-callers and has online betting room to grow as a passer in ‘25. The line should be a strength with tackles Spencer Fano and Logan Lomu returning. However, Beck has to navigate significant turnover at the receiver position.
The 2025 Utah Utes are expecting to rebound from an injury-ravaged season last year. The 2024 campaign was the dawn of a new era for the Utah Utes. In 2011, the Utes transitioned from the Mountain West Conference to the Pac-12. Correlate that it was a move that elevated them to a higher level of competition. However, after the Pac-12’s implosion, the Utes moved to the Big 12 for the 2024 season. Utah was one of the favorites to win the Big 12, along with Kansas State and Kansas.
Overall, the program is good enough to be dominant in the Big 12, but last year, thanks to that offense, the Utes lost four games by six points or fewer, lost at Arizona State by eight, and didn’t have their mojo in the other two losses.
UCLA Bruins Team Overview
The UCLA Bruins head into the 2025 College Football Betting season under second-year head coach DeShaun Foster. In turn, they are looking to improve on a 5-7 record in their inaugural Big Ten campaign. After a challenging transition from the Pac-12, the Bruins aim to make strides in a loaded conference.
Namely, Nico Iamaleava is the big catch for UCLA. The former five-star Tennessee transfer with an 11-3 record as a starter. He brings elite potential (2,930 passing yards, 21 TDs; 435 rushing yards, 6 TDs in his career). His dual-threat ability could transform an offense that ranked 132nd in rushing (78.8 yards per game) in 2024. As a former five-star recruit, Iamaleava’s arm talent and mobility make him the centerpiece of UCLA’s offense.
Consider that UCLA’s ground attack was among the worst in FBS last season, averaging under 80 yards per game. Transfers like Jaivian Thomas (from Cal) and returning veteran Jalen Berger are tasked with revitalizing the run to complement Iamaleava’s passing.
The loss of cornerback Jaylin Davies to Oklahoma State stings. But transfers like cornerbacks Robert Stafford (from Miami) and Aaron Williams (from Louisville) bolster the secondary. The defense, which allowed 350.9 yards per game in 2024, must gel quickly.
UCLA’s aggressive use of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals to land Iamaleava and other transfers signals a commitment to compete in the Big Ten. Still, translating talent into wins remains the challenge.
Utah at UCLA SBG Free Picks
As mentioned earlier, Utah has plenty of impressive new talent and coaching. Utah is the better value as the quality road team.
Utah at UCLA SBG Best Bet: Utah Utes.