
Mourinho increasingly likely to become next Real Madrid head coach
Jose Mourinho is likely to become the next head coach of Real Madrid.
UCLA football is ranked No. 11 in the Big Ten Conference by USA TODAY. The team, coming off a 3-9 season, is expected to improve with new transfers and returning quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
Mentioned in this story
The 2027 recruits wonât be saving the UCLA Bruins on the field this season. Even though Bob Chesney has done a terrific job of building up UCLAâs future, how competitive UCLA will be for the 2026 season remains a mystery for the Bruins.
Itâll be hard to be any worse than last yearâs 3-9 squad, with Chesney landing plenty of game-ready transfers in the portal this offseason. Itâll 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.
âUCLA will be better, sure, but donât expect an Indiana-like leap under former James Madison coach Bob Chesney,â Myerburg wrote. âThe Bruins are experienced and have a strong starter under center in Nico Iamaleava.â
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.
UCLA football is ranked No. 11 due to their recent performance and the challenges they face in improving from a 3-9 season, despite new transfers and returning players.
Bob Chesney is the head coach of UCLA football, having previously coached at James Madison.
Fans can expect improvements from UCLA football in the 2026 season, with a stronger roster due to game-ready transfers and a full offseason for quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

Jose Mourinho is likely to become the next head coach of Real Madrid.

Discover why Inter Milan's midfield is considered one of the most balanced in Europe right now.

McLaren's Andrea Stella warns Mercedes: F1 Championship race is still on!
Eagles 2026 schedule set to be challenging with tough opponents.
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
Beyond just the players that Chesney had landed at UCLA, heâs brought over two exciting coordinators that change the expectation for the Bruins on both sides of the ball. Last year Northwestern was the No. 11 team in the Big Ten, finishing conference play with a 4-5 record.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA ranks No. 11 in USA TODAY's ranking of the Big Ten Conference