PASADENA, Calif. (Interstat) — A Nebraska team looking to stay in the conference title hunt visits a struggling UCLA squad when the Cornhuskers and Bruins meet at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.

Nebraska (6-3) is coming off a tough 21-17 home loss to Southern California, a game in which running back Emmett Johnson rushed for 165 yards and a touchdown. The Cornhuskers have alternated wins and losses over their last five games.

UCLA (3-5) has lost two straight, including a 56-6 road defeat to Indiana in its last outing on Oct. 25. The Bruins’ offense has sputtered, failing to score more than 20 points in three of their last four games.

The game features a contrast in offensive approaches. Nebraska will likely lean on its ground game, led by Johnson, while UCLA will look for a spark from quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a close Nebraska victory, 30-26. The Cornhuskers have been installed as a slight pregame favorite with a spread of +1.5. The over/under is 45.5.

This is the first of a challenging final stretch for UCLA, which faces Ohio State, Washington and Southern California in November. Nebraska continues its season next at Penn State on Nov. 22.