Week Nine Primer – No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers vs. UCLA Bruins

After starting the 2025 season 0-4, the UCLA Bruins have won three games in a row and interim head coach Tim Skipper has his team playing with enthusiasm and passion that could result in a shocking trip to a bowl game. An upset of the #2 ranked team in the country would certainly give the UCLA administration a lot to think about as they evaluate whether or not Skipper is worthy of being named the permanent head coach.

A young woman with long hair dances joyfully at a crowded sports event, surrounded by enthusiastic fans wearing red hats and clothing. — An Indiana fan cheers during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

What: #2 Indiana Hoosiers (7-0) vs. UCLA Bruins (3-4)

When: Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Noon

Where: Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN

How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on FOX and can be heard on the IU Radio Network.

Spread and Total: IU (-24.5) | Total of 54.5 (as of October 23, 2025)

Series History: The Indiana Hoosiers and UCLA Bruins have only met one time on the gridiron. The Hoosiers hammered the Bruins in Pasadena last season in a 42-13 triumph that really signaled the arrival of the Curt Cignetti era in Bloomington. It was the first “big game” for Cignetti as the head coach at IU and the performance was a major boost of belief for IU fans.

What’s at Stake: After starting the 2025 season 0-4, the UCLA Bruins have won three games in a row and interim head coach Tim Skipper has his team playing with enthusiasm and passion that could result in a shocking trip to a bowl game. An upset of the #2 ranked team in the country would certainly give the UCLA administration a lot to think about as they evaluate whether or not Skipper is worthy of being named the permanent head coach.

For the Hoosiers, the stakes are very clear and they rise with each passing week. IU is unbeaten and controls their own fate as it relates to the College Football Playoff and a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game. If the Hoosiers are focused and take care of business on Saturday, they will move to 8-0 and likely remain at #2 in the polls. There are individual accolades to consider as well, most notably the Heisman Trophy candidacy of quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

A FEW THINGS TO LOOK FOR

A 3-0 Team

UCLA’s record is 3-4 but the Bruins are one of the hottest teams in the Big Ten and Curt Cignetti acknowledged on Monday that IU was approaching them as such. “We’re playing a 3-0 football team,” Cignetti told the media. Interim head coach Tim Skipper has injected positivity and life into the program and he believes those things are the key to the turnaround. “Those same guys that were dealing with all this adversity are now over the hump and enjoying coming to work. They enjoy football again,” he told ESPN’s Paolo Uggetti.

Kevin Coyle was given control of the defense and the Bruins have allowed only one total touchdown in the past two games and 33-year old Jerry Neuheisel is now the offensive coordinator after taking over the duties from ex-IU assistant Tino Sunseri. The flip of the culture was immediate and the spoils of the newfound life have been found on the field with three straight victories. Obviously, if UCLA grabs a lead, those good vibes will only increase but what if Indiana can get off to a good start and make UCLA face a deficit? Will the Bruins be able to stay locked in and fight back?

2. Containing Nico Iamaleava

The Indiana Hoosiers will be squaring off against one of the more talented quarterbacks in the nation as they try to contain UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava. In the three victories since the 0-4 start, Iamaleava has been unleashed by the play-calling of Jerry Neuheisel and he is playing like the five-star quarterback he transferred in as. Iamaleava is a dual-threat gunslinger that threw for 166 yards and ran for 128 in the upset of Penn State and then followed that up by throwing for 180 and three touchdowns against Michigan State and then throwing for 225 with 25 yards on the ground in the close win over Maryland.

Iamaleava is playing behind an improving offensive line and he has a good trio of receivers in Kwazi Gilmer, Titus Mokiao-Atimalala and Mikey Matthews. Much like Aidan Chiles, if Nico Iamaleava gets into a rhythm, he has the talent to make for a long day for opposing defenses. The Hoosiers will be playing their first game without Kellan Wyatt on the edge, how will that impact the defensive plan of attack? Stephen Daley is expected to step into the vacated spot but the adjustments Bryant Haines makes will be very interesting to see unfold.

3. Another Test for IU’s Elite Offense

Throw out the numbers from early in the season when UCLA gave up 43 points to Utah, 30 to UNLV and 35 to New Mexico. The defense is now under the direction of coordinator Kevin Coyle and they have placed a heavy emphasis on playing with physicality. Penn State put up 37 points but UCLA made the Nittany Lions work and they have only given up one offensive touchdown in the past two games (Michigan State and Maryland). Despite the new life for this defense, and it is much improved, there are still some holes for IU to try and exploit.

For instance, Maryland ran for 4.9 yards per carry, Michigan State ran for 3.5 yards per rush and Penn State averaged 5.1 yards per rush on 31 carries. The Bruins have only had one interception all season (Scooter Jackson got it last week against Maryland) and they only have six sacks on the year. If they can’t get some pressure on Fernando Mendoza, UCLA’s secondary will have a tough time covering IU’s wideouts. The Hoosiers have the top statistical receiver duo in the country with Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper.