Michigan State vs UCLA matchup
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Michigan State (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten) visits No. 9/No.
Both teams are without their starting quarterbacks, so the game turns on backups and depth.
Background
UCLA is coached by Bob Chesney, in his first year, and is 6-0 — the last remaining undefeated team across the Big Ten and SEC, with its profile compared to the 2024 Indiana team under Curt Cignetti. Michigan State is coached by Pat Fitzgerald and sits at 2-5 and 0-4 in Big Ten play on a five-game losing streak, making its first trip to UCLA since the Bruins joined the Big Ten. Both starting quarterbacks are unavailable: UCLA's Nico Iamaleava is out with a season-ending knee injury suffered against Oregon, and Michigan State's Alessio Milivojevic is out, so true freshman Kayd Coffman will start for the Spartans.
How it unfolded
- Oct 17, 2026UCLA beat Wisconsin 17-7 behind Ty Dieffenbach's 264 passing yards, while Michigan State fell to Northwestern 24-21.
- Oct 21, 2026Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic was listed as questionable after the Northwestern game.
- Oct 22, 2026Spartans Wire staff unanimously predicted a UCLA victory.
- Oct 23, 2026Michigan State's availability report listed Milivojevic questionable and UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava out, among a long list of unavailable players on both sides.
- Oct 24, 2026Michigan State (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten) plays at No. 9/No. 10 UCLA (6-0, 4-0) at 3:30 p.m. ET at the Rose Bowl, with true freshman Kayd Coffman starting at quarterback for the Spartans.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Spartans Wire's Andrew Brewster, Cory Linsner and Robert Bondy all predicted UCLA wins (28-17, 24-13, 24-17), citing MSU's injuries, UCLA's defense and the tough road trip.
- Analysts
- Detroit Free Press's Chris Solari predicted UCLA 27, MSU 14, saying the Spartans' injury situation remains problematic and the cross-country trip will likely take its toll.
- Bulls
- Bruin247's Connor Morrissette picked UCLA -14.5 and said he expects the Bruins to win by even more now that Milivojevic is out; Yahoo Sports' Kody Malstrom picked UCLA -14.
Still unverified
Michigan State's quarterback situation for the Nov. 7 game at Michigan is described as potentially a question if Milivojevic is unable to play Saturday.