The Wisconsin Badgers travel to the Rose Bowl on Saturday to face a No. 12 UCLA team that enters the Wisconsin UCLA Ty Dieffenbach start saga as the headline storyline of Week 7. UCLA is 5-0 and has not lost since opening the season, while Wisconsin arrives at 4-1 off a four-game winning streak following its only setback to Notre Dame. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
UCLA’s unbeaten run has taken on new stakes after starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury, according to USA Today. Ty Dieffenbach is expected to make his first career start at the Rose Bowl in his place, giving Wisconsin a chance to pressure an offense breaking in a new signal-caller on the road against a ranked opponent.
Wisconsin Vs UCLA Game Information
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
- TV: NBC
UCLA can improve to 6-0 overall and 4-0 in Big Ten play with a victory, according to Bleacher Report.
By The Numbers
- Points per game: UCLA 39.2, Wisconsin 31.6
- Total yards per game: UCLA 458.2, Wisconsin 379.4
- Rushing yards per game: UCLA 253.2, Wisconsin 153.0
- Passing yards per game: UCLA 205.0, Wisconsin 226.4
- Third-down conversion rate: Wisconsin 44.12%, UCLA 42.86%
- Total takeaways: UCLA 13, Wisconsin 6
- Total giveaways: UCLA 7, Wisconsin 6
- Turnover differential: UCLA plus-6, Wisconsin even
- Sacks allowed per game: Wisconsin 0.6, UCLA 1.6
Wisconsin Outlook
Wisconsin has won four straight since its lone loss to Notre Dame, a game that stayed close before turnovers pulled the margin apart in the second half. Quarterback Colton Joseph has thrown for 1,132 yards and 10 touchdowns against five interceptions, including three picks against Penn State, though he protected the ball cleanly in a 31-3 win over Michigan State last week. Joseph also leads the team on the ground with 262 yards and three scores on 51 carries.
The Badgers’ defense has been efficient rather than flashy, posting 28 passes defended and 17 tackles for loss through five games. Wisconsin’s run defense ranks 35th nationally at 114.6 yards allowed per game and has given up just one rushing touchdown during its four-game winning streak, a number that will be tested against a UCLA ground game averaging more than 253 yards per contest.
UCLA Outlook
UCLA’s season has been built on defense and the ground game. The Bruins rank sixth nationally in rushing at 253.2 yards per game, led by Wayne Knight’s 548 yards and 10 touchdowns on 7.7 yards per carry, with Anthony Woods adding 308 yards and four scores at 6.8 yards per carry. UCLA leaned on that identity in its 17-15 win at Oregon, running the ball 47 times against just 23 passes while forcing the Ducks into seven turnovers, two interceptions and five fumbles.
Defensively, UCLA leads the nation with 19 forced turnovers, a mark it shares with New Mexico. That number will matter even more with Dieffenbach under center. Head coach Bob Chesney said of the quarterback change, “He earned the right to be out there,” addressing why Dieffenbach gets the start over Madden Iamaleava, who Chesney said has also earned consideration.
Key Matchup: UCLA’s Ground Game Vs Wisconsin’s Linebackers
The game likely turns on whether Wisconsin’s linebacker duo can slow a UCLA rushing attack that ranks sixth nationally. Cooper Catalano and Mason Posa anchor that unit, with Posa ranking third nationally with 29 tackles for loss. Wisconsin has allowed only one rushing touchdown during its four-game win streak, but it has not faced a back like Knight, who is averaging 7.7 yards per carry.
If Wisconsin’s front can contain Knight and Woods, it forces Dieffenbach to win the game through the air in his first career start at the Rose Bowl. If UCLA’s line creates the same running lanes it found against Oregon, Wisconsin’s defense will face a long night trying to get off the field on third down, where the Badgers themselves convert at a 44.12% clip.
Players To Watch
Ty Dieffenbach, UCLA Quarterback
Dieffenbach steps in for Iamaleava with teammates already vouching for his demeanor. Receiver Landon Ellis said, “He’s fearless. He’s not scared to throw the ball out there.”
Tight end Josh Phifer added, “His poise was really inspiring. Being in the huddle and just seeing that your quarterback is not really nervous or freaking out at all and just is ready to go attack makes the rest of the offense just feel comfortable too.”
Wayne Knight, UCLA Running Back
Knight rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown in the win over Oregon and leads the Bruins with 548 yards and 10 scores on the season. He is the focal point of an offense that is expected to lean even more heavily on the run with a first-time starter at quarterback.
Mason Posa, Wisconsin Linebacker
Posa ranks third nationally with 29 tackles for loss and will be a key piece in Wisconsin’s effort to contain UCLA’s rushing attack at the line of scrimmage.
What To Watch
UCLA is chasing a 6-0 start and a 4-0 mark in Big Ten play, numbers that would keep the Bruins firmly in the College Football Playoff conversation despite the loss of their starting quarterback. Chesney called the injury situation serious, saying, “There is a serious concern at this moment,” regarding Iamaleava’s status. How Dieffenbach handles his first road start under those circumstances, and whether Wisconsin’s defense can slow a UCLA run game that has carried the offense all season, will shape the outcome.
Wisconsin, fresh off blowout wins over Michigan State and a resilient top-25 road win at Penn State, gets a measuring-stick opportunity against a ranked, unbeaten opponent. A win would move the Badgers to 5-1 and add another notable name to their resume following their 31-3 result against the Spartans last week.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
