USA TODAY ranks UCLA football No. 11 in the Big Ten Conference

The 2027 recruits won’t be saving the UCLA Bruins on the field this season. Even though Bob Chesney has done a terrific job of building up UCLA’s future, how competitive UCLA will be for the 2026 season remains a mystery for the Bruins.

It’ll be hard to be any worse than last year’s 3-9 squad, with Chesney landing plenty of game-ready transfers in the portal this offseason. It’ll also be year two for Nico Iamaleava, who will have a full offseason with new offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy.

Following Big Ten Conference schools hosting their Spring Games last week, USA TODAY writer Paul Myerburg ranked all 18 Big Ten teams. Myerburg gave UCLA a modest ranking of No. 11 in the conference, sandwiched in between No. 10 Illinois and No. 12 Nebraska.

“UCLA will be better, sure, but don’t expect an Indiana-like leap under former James Madison coach Bob Chesney,” Myerburg wrote. “The Bruins are experienced and have a strong starter under center in Nico Iamaleava.”

Myerburg slotted in UCLA ahead of the rebuilding teams in the conference but not above any truly strong Big Ten teams. With an improved roster, fresh coaching staff and an easier conference schedule in 2026, the Bruins might be hoping for even more to begin the Chesney era in Westwood.