The Associated Press just unleashed their Preseason Top 25 for 2026 NCAA Football on Monday, and get this: UCLA didn’t even sniff a single vote. Not one! Even with all the consistent hype swirling around the team and new head coach Bob Chesney taking the reins, they got zero recognition. Meanwhile, Chesney’s old squad, the James Madison Dukes, pulled in three votes. But don’t sleep on the Bruins, because their schedule is absolutely bonkers, loaded with six opponents who *did* grab votes, setting up a brutal test right out of the gate for Chesney and his crew.
The “No Respect” Gauntlet Is Real
Seriously, this UCLA schedule is no joke. The Bruins are staring down a stacked slate that includes the California Golden Bears, Minnesota Golden Gophers, Illinois Fighting Illini, USC Trojans, Oregon Ducks, and Michigan Wolverines. Every single one of those teams got votes in Monday’s poll. It’s like the AP said, “We’re not rating you, but good luck against everyone we *did* rate!” This is Chesney’s chance to show everyone in Inglewood and beyond that the hype is deserved and his team belongs in the conversation.
The madness kicks off early on September 5, when UCLA opens their season against California. The Golden Bears might be unranked, but they snagged two votes, making them a solid first test for the new-look Bruins. Then, circle October 10 on your calendar because that’s when UCLA faces their highest-ranked opponent: the No. 2 Oregon Ducks. This game isn’t just a massive challenge; it’s a personal mission for Coach Chesney, who gets a shot at avenging his Dukes, who fell to those very same Ducks in last season’s College Football Playoffs. You know he’s got that one marked!
Big Ten Brawl and Rivalry Clashes
Hold onto your hats, because just under a month after the Oregon showdown, UCLA dives headfirst into a Big Ten gauntlet. Starting November 7, they’ll tackle four opponents who all received multiple votes. First up are the unranked Minnesota Golden Gophers, who grabbed five votes and will be a tough opener for this stretch. Six days later, on Friday, November 13, it’s the Illinois Fighting Illini, another unranked squad that managed to pull in nine votes. Talk about a brutal back-to-back!
The Bruins will wrap up their season with two absolute monsters. On November 21, they face the No. 16 Michigan Wolverines. Then, to cap it all off, it’s the crosstown rivalry game on November 28 against the No. 14 USC Trojans. This isn’t just about winning games; it’s about proving their worth against top-tier competition and making a statement. Chesney’s got his work cut out for him, but what a way to show everyone what this UCLA team is made of! Get ready for some fireworks, because this season is going to be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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