Wisconsin vs. UCLA Prediction, CFB Week 7 Odds & Best Bets (10/17)

Fact checked at 6:49 AM ET, Oct 17, 2026

Odds as of Oct 17, 5:32 AM ET

UCLA and Wisconsin are both unbeaten in Big Ten play, and only one of them has its starting quarterback. UCLA (5-0) lost Nico Iamaleava to a leg injury at Oregon. He is out on the Big Ten availability report, and the Los Angeles Daily News reports he is set to miss the rest of the season. Ty Dieffenbach, who took over at halftime of the 17-15 win in Eugene and went 3 for 6 for 43 yards and a touchdown, is expected to start.

That changes what UCLA can do. The Bruins run for 253.2 yards a game, sixth in the FBS, and without a dual-threat quarterback Wisconsin can crowd the line. The total opened at 49.5 on Oct 7 and has dropped to 43.5, yet UCLA is laying only 2.5. Wisconsin (4-1) is rested after a bye. It beat Michigan State 31-3 in its last game, a week after coming back to win 24-20 at Penn State.

Put that together and you get a low game with a narrower UCLA offense, decided by the quarterback who can still make plays: Wisconsin's Colton Joseph. That makes Wisconsin the side to back, and Joseph the player.

NBC carries it from the Rose Bowl at 7:30 PM ET, and a high near 93 in Pasadena should still leave it in the upper 80s when the game starts.

Wisconsin vs. UCLA Predictions

• Pick #1: Colton Joseph Anytime Touchdown (+105)
• Pick #2: Wisconsin Moneyline (+115)

PICK #1: Colton Joseph Anytime Touchdown (+105)

Joseph has run for a touchdown against three of his four FBS opponents. He broke a 47-yarder against Michigan State (13 carries, 141 yards), scored from 7 yards at Penn State (13 for 39) and ran one in from 4 yards against Eastern Michigan (9 for 46). The exception was the 41-13 opener against Notre Dame, when he ran 12 times for 3 yards.

At +105 he's priced at 48.8%, and three of four is better than that. The backfield around him is thinner, too: running back Nate Palmer is doubtful, which leaves Darrion Dupree and Abu Sama III (probable) to split the backs' carries. UCLA's defense can make this hard. It leads the Big Ten in turnovers created, according to the Los Angeles Daily News, and Joseph has thrown five interceptions, three of them at Penn State. Offensive lineman Austin Kawecki is questionable.

PICK #2: Wisconsin Moneyline (+115)

With Joseph at quarterback, Wisconsin is 3-1 against FBS teams: 31-3 over Michigan State, 24-20 at No. 13 Penn State and 54-10 over Eastern Michigan, with the one loss to Notre Dame. UCLA built its 5-0 record with Iamaleava starting every game. Now it hands the ball to a quarterback who threw six passes in the second half at Oregon.

The Bruins are short elsewhere as well. Defensive back Tao Johnson is out, defensive back Rodrick Pleasant and left tackle Jordan Davis are doubtful, and defensive back CJ Lavender is questionable. At +115 the Badgers need to win 46.5% of the time, and in a close, low-scoring game against a backup quarterback we'd put them ahead of that. The long trip west and the heat cut the other way.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.