Maryland Terrapins vs UCLA Bruins Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 10/18/25

The UCLA Bruins have appeared to have found their footing, winning their last 2 games played against Big Ten opponents. They will try to make it 3 straight conference wins when they welcome in the Maryland Terrapins this weekend. The Bruins’ 2 wins came against Penn State and Michigan State, and the victory over the Spartans was a blowout win on the road at the score of 38-13. Michigan State scored the first touchdown of the game, but then the Bruins proceeded to respond by scoring 38 unanswered points. It is worth noting Michigan State lost its starting quarterback to injury in this game, but that didn’t stop Bruins’ quarterback Nico Iamaleava from continuing to grow his confidence. Iamaleava has thrown for 346 yards, 5 touchdowns and no interceptions in UCLA’s last 2 wins. Running back Jalen Berger has proved to be a dynamic weapon, contributing towards 3 total touchdowns against Michigan State.

After starting the season 4-0, Maryland comes into this Saturday showdown on a 2-game losing streak. The Terrapins lost 24-20 to Washington and then 34-31 against Nebraska last week. Both games took place on Maryland’s home field. The Terps got a good game out of freshman quarterback Malik Washington, who completed 27 of 37 passes for 249 yards and 1 touchdown, but the Terrapins could not find a way to win despite forcing 3 interceptions, including a go-ahead pick-6 in the 3rd quarter. 

It took awhile, but Iamaleava finally looks to be more poised in the pocket as the quarterback for UCLA. The explosiveness he showed in Tennessee is still not there, but no turnovers in his last 2 games is a big reason of why the Bruins won both games. Turnovers will be a key again this week, as the Bruins go up against the top-ranked defense in the category of turnover margin. Maryland is +10 this season in that metric, and continued its dominance last week with the 3 interceptions.

Maryland has looked good as of late despite losing their last two games. In both losses, Maryland blew a double-digit fourth quarter lead. The Terps led by 10 against Nebraska and by 17 against Washington before eventually losing both. Maryland has not been able to hold its leads due to their inability to run the football. The Terrapins rank 124th in the FBS in rushing yards at just under 100 yards per game. This Saturday’s game could be a good opportunity for Maryland to establish the run, especially if they get a lead late, against a UCLA defense that allowed 195.8 rushing yards per game – ranking them 124th in the FBS against the run. UCLA has looked like they’ve improved and gotten on track, but if Maryland can force turnovers against Iamaleava, we may see UCLA return to the form and look again like the team that lost against UNLV and New Mexico earlier this season. 

Maryland vs UCLA prediction: Maryland Terrapins +135 is available at the time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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