Purdue (15%) heads to the Rose Bowl for a Week 3 Big Ten matchup with UCLA (85%) on Saturday night.
Bob Chesney is off to an impressive start in Westwood, but our Purdue vs. UCLA prediction thinks this line has gone too far.
Read on for our full college football picks and tune in to Big Ten Network, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m. ET from Pasadena on Sept. 19.
TOP PICK
Who will win Purdue vs UCLA: Purdue +14.5
I'd play Purdue at anything over two touchdowns, as there's been a lot to like about the Boilermakers' start to the season.
Barry Odom's squad gained 29 first downs against a solid Wake Forest defense, and the offense ranks inside the top 30 in EPA per play (29th).
UCLA's offense has been one-dimensional so far. All 10 touchdowns have occurred via the ground attack, whereas the Nico Iameleava-led passing game checks in at 131st in EPA per pass.
That's not something I like to see from a favorite in a conference game with a spread of more than two touchdowns.
COVERS INTEL: Purdue has found its go-to player in running back Fame Ijeboi, who leads the Big Ten with 19 missed tackles forced — six more than any other rusher. 
TOP PICK
Purdue vs UCLA Over/Under pick: Over 53.5
For as one-dimensional as UCLA's offense has been, it's still managed to score points and should do so again in this matchup. Running back Wayne Knight has produced 198 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns, and the ground game should pave the way for some scoring drives.
Purdue's offense has been tricky for opposing defenses to figure out, averaging 40.0 points per game. Quarterback Ryan Browne is airing it out for 9.1 yards per attempt and 323 passing yards per game, leading an attack that ranks 15th in passing success rate.
Both teams have shown more on offense than on defense thus far, so I'm counting on points.
TOP PICK
Purdue vs UCLA prop: Purdue team total Over 17.5
Wake Forest had a very effective defense last year, allowing 4.6 yards per play and ranking top 10 in several advanced metrics. The Demon Deacons returned a good amount of that defense, so it was surprising when Purdue dropped 455 total yards and 29 first downs on them in Week 2.
Ijeboi changes the calculus offensively. The Minnesota transfer has broken more tackles than any running back except Nate Sheppard, Duke's superstar, who has handled 22 more attempts than Ijeboi.
The passing attack is also clicking now that defenses must account for the ground game, and that tandem is being underrated in the market.
TOP PICK
Purdue vs UCLA combo
UCLA struggled out of the gate against San Diego State in Week 2, going into the half tied 0-0. That's a continuation of the game script from its opener against Cal, when the Bruins were tied 24-24 in the third quarter before pulling away with a 21-0 fourth quarter.
Bob Chesney's squad has been a second-half team, and the Boilermakers have shown enough verve offensively that they can keep things within range.
Purdue vs UCLA combo
- Purdue +14.5
- Over 53.5
- Purdue +9.5 1H
Purdue vs UCLA odds
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
- Spread: Purdue +14.5 | UCLA -14.5
- Over/Under: Over 53.5 (54%) | Under 53.5 (52%)
- Moneyline: Purdue 15% | UCLA 85%
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Purdue vs UCLA weather
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Purdue vs UCLA trend to know
The Boilermakers are 4-0 to the Over in their last four games. Find more college football betting trends for Purdue vs. UCLA.
How to watch Purdue vs UCLA
| Location | Stadium, City, State |
| Date | Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 11:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | TV |
Purdue vs UCLA latest injuries
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