UCLA Poised to Make Noise in Big Ten Next Season

Bruins have manageable schedule and coaching continuity to compete for conference title

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:21pm

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Following a successful offseason, UCLA is in a strong position to make an impact in the Big Ten next season. The Bruins have a relatively favorable conference schedule, with several Big Ten opponents struggling to break .500 in recent years. While UCLA will need to overcome challenges from Oregon, Michigan, and USC, the team's coaching continuity and returning talent give them a chance to compete for a conference championship and potentially earn a College Football Playoff spot.

Why it matters

UCLA's potential success in the Big Ten next season would be a significant development for the program, as the Bruins look to establish themselves as a conference contender after joining the league. A strong showing could also boost the overall perception and competitiveness of the Big Ten, which has seen some of its traditional powers regress in recent years.

The details

UCLA's Big Ten schedule next season includes matchups against Purdue, Maryland, Oregon, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, and USC. Many of these opponents struggled to find consistent success in conference play in recent years, opening the door for the Bruins to potentially make a run. However, UCLA will need to overcome challenges from Oregon, Michigan, and USC, which have proven to be strong Big Ten teams. The Bruins' chances are also bolstered by the regression of some traditional Big Ten powers, such as Indiana and Michigan, which are dealing with key personnel losses.

  • UCLA will open its Big Ten schedule on September 6, 2026.
  • The Bruins' matchup against Oregon is scheduled for October 18, 2026.
  • UCLA will face Michigan on November 15, 2026.
  • The Bruins will close out their regular season against USC on November 29, 2026.

The players

Bob Chesney

The new head coach of the UCLA Bruins, who previously served as the head coach at James Madison University.

Anthony Woods

A running back for the UCLA Bruins who will be a key offensive weapon next season.

Nico Iamaleava

The starting quarterback for the UCLA Bruins, who will be leading the team's offense in the Big Ten.

Colin Hitschler

The defensive coordinator for the UCLA Bruins, who joined the staff from James Madison University.

Dean Kennedy

The offensive coordinator for the UCLA Bruins, who also came from James Madison University.

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What’s next

As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on UCLA to see if the Bruins can live up to the hype and make a serious run at the Big Ten title. The team's performance in its early conference games, particularly against Oregon and Michigan, will be crucial in determining if UCLA is a legitimate contender.

The takeaway

UCLA's potential success in the Big Ten next season represents an exciting opportunity for the program to establish itself as a conference power. The Bruins' manageable schedule, coaching continuity, and returning talent give them a chance to surprise many and potentially earn a spot in the College Football Playoff, which would be a significant milestone for the program.