First-year head coach Bob Chesney is absolutely cooking in Los Angeles, transforming a UCLA team that barely won three games last year into an undefeated juggernaut. They just pulled off their biggest upset yet, knocking off Oregon 17-15 on the road, and now the Bruins are not just competing for a Big Ten title, they are in a prime spot to make the College Football Playoff. Seriously, this turnaround is wild.
Chesney’s Blueprint: From Three Wins to Undefeated
What Chesney has done in his first five games is nothing short of incredible. After last season’s rough three-win campaign, he has this UCLA squad sitting at a perfect 5-0. The man is a revelation, no doubt. The buzz around him being the hottest name in the sport isn’t just talk, it’s backed up by every single W on the board. We’re talking about a guy who started coaching at D-III Salve Regina, grinding his way up through Assumption, Holy Cross, and James Madison before landing in the Big Ten. His career record is a staggering 137-52, and he’s only had one losing season ever. You want to talk about impact? This is it. He signed a five-year, $33.75 million deal through 2030, averaging $6.75 million a year, and honestly, if they keep this up, he could be in line for a raise after one year. That’s how good this is looking.
The Road Ahead: A Clear Path to the Playoff?
Looking at the remaining schedule, UCLA should feel pretty darn good about their Playoff chances. Among all the CFP contenders, their path looks like one of the easier ones. Yeah, they’ve still got that rivalry game against USC, which is always a battle, but outside of that, their opponents don’t look nearly as fierce. The Bruins are playing five of their final seven regular season games at home. Their only road trips? They’re heading to the Midwest to face Minnesota and Michigan, neither of whom are currently ranked opponents. That’s a huge advantage right there. The final game of the season against a currently ranked opponent is also at home. Being undefeated right now gives them some serious margin for error, meaning they could probably drop one game down the stretch and still be in CFP position. But if they handle business, a Big Ten Championship Game appearance is a strong possibility, and a win there means an automatic spot in the Playoff. They’ve never played in the Big Ten title game, only making the Pac-12 championship in 2011 and 2012 when they were in that conference.
What’s Next for UCLA
This is a huge moment for the program. Next up for UCLA is a home game against Wisconsin on October 17th. Every single game from here on out is massive, with the Big Ten Championship and a College Football Playoff berth on the line. Can Chesney keep this undefeated run going and cement himself as the coach of the year? You better believe every eye in college football is watching to see if this incredible story continues.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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