UCLA vs Maryland Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 26, 2026
The UCLA Bruins visit the Maryland Terrapins on Saturday, September 26, at SECU Stadium in College Park, with the opening kickoff scheduled for 1:30 PM ET on BTN. The UCLA Bruins are 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten after beating Purdue 52-38. The Maryland Terrapins are 2-1 overall and have not opened their Big Ten schedule after a 35-26 loss to Virginia Tech. Check out our free NCAAF picks.
UCLA Bruins Preview
UCLA is averaging 41.7 points through three games, with 203.7 passing yards and 286.7 rushing yards per game. Nico Iamaleava has completed 47 of 75 passes for 611 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 141 rushing yards and a score. Wayne Knight has powered the ground game with 345 yards and eight touchdowns on 39 carries. Anthony Woods has added 228 yards and three scores, while Semaj Morgan leads the receiving group with 158 yards and two touchdowns.
The Bruins are allowing 24 points per game after giving up 24 to California, 10 to San Diego State and 38 to Purdue. UCLA has seven sacks, four interceptions, four forced fumbles and three recoveries. Sammy Omosigho leads the defense with 33 tackles, three sacks and four forced fumbles. Jalen Woods has 29 tackles and an interception, while Ta'Shawn James has two interceptions. UCLA’s ability to create takeaways gives the defense another way to affect possessions.
Injuries: CB T. Johnson, CB J. Johnson, OG S. Yoon, WR Mikey Matthews, WR A. Mizell, QB T. Dieffenbach and TE J. Phifer are questionable with undisclosed injuries.
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Maryland Terrapins Preview
Maryland is averaging 42 points through three games, with 330 passing yards and 184.7 rushing yards per game. Malik Washington has completed 83 of 115 passes for 892 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. Iverson Howard leads the Terrapins with 143 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while DeJuan Williams has 116 yards and two scores on only three carries. Chris Durr Jr. has been Washington’s top target with 28 catches for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
The Terrapins are allowing 16.3 points per game after shutting out Hampton and holding UConn to 14 before allowing 35 against Virginia Tech. Maryland has recorded 11 sacks and three interceptions. DD Holmes leads the pass rush with 2.5 sacks, while Eyan Thomas and Derrick LeBlanc have two each. Daniel Wingate and Trey Reddick share the team lead with 18 tackles. Messiah Delhomme has two interceptions, and Jayden Shipps has one.
Injuries: RB DeJuan Williams is out with an undisclosed injury. LB Z. Mathis is out with a leg injury.
UCLA vs Maryland Prediction
UCLA’s ground game is the key matchup, with the Bruins averaging 286.7 rushing yards per game and 7.0 yards per carry behind Knight, Woods and Iamaleava. Maryland has the stronger passing numbers, with Washington completing 72.2% of his attempts without an interception, and the Terrapins have recorded 11 sacks on defense. UCLA has already won its Big Ten opener and has scored at least 28 points in every game. Maryland can produce through the air, but UCLA’s rushing attack and ability to create turnovers will give the Bruins the edge in a close road game. Final Score Prediction: UCLA Bruins win, 33-27.
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- UCLA Bruins -2.5
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