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Matchup preview

San Diego State vs UCLA

San Diego State visit UCLA in Week 2. The model favors UCLA by 13.9. Win probability, the tale of the tape, and the all-time series, all from real data.

Win probability
20%
80%

Model win probability from SP+ ratings + home-field edge.

The read
Model analysis · September 9 · refreshed weekly

SP+ separates these teams by roughly six points of rating, UCLA at 9.2 (36th) against San Diego State at 3.1 (58th), and turns that gap into a projected UCLA margin of 8.5 and a 70% win probability. The market sits well ahead of the model: UCLA -12.5 with a total of 54.8 implies 78%, and the ProphetX exchange pushes further to 81% on the UCLA -440 offer against San Diego State +400. That is an eight-to-eleven point spread of disagreement between a model margin of 8.5 and a market number of 12.5, so the value, if any, tilts toward the underdog side.

The unit ranks explain the lean. UCLA grades better on offense (#31 to #72) while the defensive edge is narrow (#46 to #51), pointing to a game the favorite controls through scoring rather than stops. Series history is thin at 1-1, but the last meeting in 2023 went UCLA 35-10, matching the market's confidence more than the model's. Early results offer little separation: San Diego State handled Portland State 53-20, UCLA won at California 45-24, and season projections nearly tie at 7.1 and 7 wins with similar sub-1% title odds.

The read is a market that has priced UCLA four points past where SP+ values them, leaving the closest edge on San Diego State plus the points.

Model backs UCLA by 8.5 while the market demands 12.5, and that four-point gap is the only real edge, favoring San Diego State against the spread.

Matchup odds
Consensus line · 3 books
Spread
UCLA -13.5
Total (O/U)
53.5
Favorite
UCLA
Moneyline win probability (implied from the spread)
UCLA
79%

Real consensus line across 3 sportsbooks. Spread and total are the current market number; the win probabilities are implied from the spread.

Matchup odds price history
The market to win this game · daily prices, colored by the favorite
San Diego State1%-73 ptsvsUCLA99%+73 pts
0%25%50%75%100%San Diego State favoredUCLA favoredAug 27Sep 1Sep 5Sep 8Sep 11Sep 13

Real daily prices from the market to win this game, shown as San Diego State's win price; UCLA's is 100 minus it (the same market's other side). Above the 50% line San Diego State is favored, below it UCLA is, and each candle takes the favored team's color. Kalshi shows open-high-low-close candles (filled body closed up, hollow closed down). As of Sep 23.

Tale of the tape
Percentile vs FBS · 2025 stats, 2026 SP+
#78SP+SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.#40
#67FPIFPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.#75
1528EloElo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.1322
-Title oddsDe-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.-
San Diego StateUCLAsolid = better, faded = trailing
What these metrics mean
SP+. SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.
FPI. FPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.
Elo. Elo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.
Title odds. De-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.
Off PPA. PPA (Predicted Points Added): the average point value each play adds. Higher is better for offense, lower for defense.
Success. Success rate: the share of plays that stay on schedule (roughly 50% of needed yards on 1st down, 70% on 2nd, 100% on 3rd/4th). Higher is better.
Explosive. Explosiveness: the average value of a team's successful plays, i.e. how big its good plays are when they hit.
Yards/game. Total yards gained per game.
Success allowed. How often the defense allows an on-schedule play (enough yards for the down). Lower is better.
Havoc. Havoc rate: the share of plays where the defense makes a tackle for loss, forced fumble, interception, or pass breakup.
Yards allowed. Total yards allowed per game. Lower is better.
Efficiency profile
Percentile vs FBS · 2025
Recent series
Series even 1-1
20192023
Head to head
Every meeting in our records
2023
35-10
UCLA
at San Diego State
2019
23-14
More Week 2 matchups
Model previews for the rest of the slate
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I trade the San Diego State vs UCLA game?

Kalshi lists winner markets for college football games. Sign up with code FADE (trade $25, get up to $500), open the San Diego State vs UCLA market when it posts, and buy YES on your side; the price in cents equals the market's implied win probability. You can sell before kickoff or settlement at the current price.

When do San Diego State and UCLA play?

Week 2 of 2026, on Sep 12, 2026 at UCLA.

Who is favored?

The model projects UCLA by 13.9 (80% win probability), from SP+ ratings.

What is the all-time series?

Series even 1-1 over the meetings in our records.

Full schedule → · Both teams' playoff odds, from 10,000 simulations →

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