UCLA vs. Ohio State Prediction & Odds: College Football Week 12 Betting Preview

The No. 1 team in the country will look to avoid complacency just two weeks out from its biggest rivalry game as I make my UCLA vs. Ohio State prediction.

Ohio State is a 31.5-point betting favorite in a game that will kick off from Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday (NBC). 

The Buckeyes’ point spread has risen by as many as 1.5 points since they were a 30.5-point favorite on Sunday. With the value rapidly decreasing, I am adding a play on the total to my college football Week 12 predictions.

✅ UCLA vs. Ohio State prediction & expert picks

See all of our experts' college football picks for Week 12.

📊 UCLA vs. Ohio State odds

See live college football odds for every game in Week 12.

🏈 UCLA vs. Ohio State preview & score prediction

Ohio State is one of the most profitable ATS teams in the country (7-1-1). But bettors have supported that trend and driven the point spread past the key number of 31. That has me adding a play on the Under to my early UCLA vs. Ohio State prediction.

Ohio State to make UCLA one-dimensional

Those that are siding with UCLA in this matchup are likely citing that Ohio State has rarely seen a quarterback with as much dual-threat ability this season as Nico Iamaleava. 

But the Buckeyes are well aware of Iamaleava’s talents from last year’s College Football Playoff meeting, where they held the then-Tennessee quarterback to 2.4 yards per carry on 20 attempts and season-worsts in completion percentage (45.2%) and passing yards (104).

Outside of Iamaleava last week, all other Bruins combined for 71 rushing yards on 22 carries. That 3.2 yards-per-carry average is disappointing, considering the Cornhuskers had ranked outside the top 100 in rushing yards allowed before and after contact.

Ohio State’s secondary is too good to be picked apart without any complementary threat of an opposing running game. The Buckeyes lead the country in points per drive allowed (0.88), and I am backing the trend that the Under is 6-1 in Ohio State’s last seven November games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

The O/U is a full point lower at 47.5 points at several of the best sports betting sites. That makes the standard -110 juice (52.38% implied odds) through bet365 a steal for Under backers who are getting a total of 48.5. If the Under cashes, a $10 winning wager would net $9.09 in profit.

Score prediction: Ohio State 40, UCLA 7

🆚 UCLA vs. Ohio State matchup to watch

Julian Sayin vs. UCLA secondary

Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin had a streak of eight games with two or more passing touchdowns snapped last week. 

The issue for Sayin when facing an inferior opponent is whether or not he will have enough volume to go Over the projected total, given he will likely be playing with a big lead much of the game. But the fact that the O/U for his passing yards is 302.5 quells any doubts that he won’t be asked to throw much.

UCLA just allowed three passing touchdowns to Nebraska’s TJ Lateef in his first collegiate start on a mere 15 attempts. Meanwhile, Sayin’s 0.67 weighted EPA per dropback leads all FBS quarterbacks, and his 192.6 Passer Efficiency Rating is the best of any Big Ten quarterback since 2000 (min. 250 attempts). 

Best prop bet: Julian Sayin Over 2.5 passing touchdowns (+130 via BetMGM)

📈 UCLA vs. Ohio State betting trends

🌤️ UCLA vs. Ohio State weather

An unseasonably warm 64-degree day in Columbus will give way to cooler temperatures in the low 50s on Saturday night. The warmer weather is the result of a front that brings a 67% chance of precipitation and wind gusts up to 22 mph.

📺 How to watch UCLA vs. Ohio State

• Date: Saturday, Nov. 15
• Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
• TV: NBC