How UCLA football will fare in every game in 2026…
There hasn’t been this a lot pleasure about a new UCLA football coach … ever?
Consider the unhappy historical past of the college’s hires.
DeShaun Foster was a curious alternative.
Chip Kelly was properly into his decline.
Jim Mora and Rick Neuheisel have been retreads.
Karl Dorrell was Plan D … boring.
Bob Toledo was an offensive coordinator who occurred to be in the suitable spot.
Terry Donahue was an alumnus with no head teaching expertise.
Pepper Rodgers got here from Kansas, not precisely a faculty football powerhouse.
Dick Vermeil’s most latest head teaching job got here at Napa Valley College.
James Madison head coach Bob Chesney talks to vast receiver Landon Ellis (13) after a move play against Oregon during the first half in the first spherical of the NCAA College Football Playoff on Dec. 20, 2025, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Mark Ylen) AP Photo/Mark Ylen
One must go all the best way back to Tommy Prothro, who had guided Oregon State to a number of Rose Bowls when he returned to UCLA in 1965, to discover a new Bruins coach with buzz approaching that of the pleasure surrounding Bob Chesney.
Chesney has made UCLA a modern decide to turn into the Big Ten’s most improved staff in Year 1 after taking James Madison to the College Football Playoff in 2025.
While season prognosticators are as foolhardy as daily lottery gamers, it’s no stretch to envision Chesney successful big immediately. Here’s a game-by-game prediction for the Bruins:
at California, Sept. 5
Which new coach will immediately energize his fan base?
Cal’s Tosh Lupoi sprouted from the Dan Lanning teaching tree after a profitable stint as Oregon’s defensive coordinator but has never been a head coach at any stage.
The return of quarterback Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele offers Lupoi a good place to begin, but questions abound on a protection that may make the new coach want he was back with the Ducks. Prediction: Win, 1-0.
San Diego State, Sept. 12
How loopy is it that this will be a nonconference game for UCLA against a staff from the Pac-12? That’s the absurdity of faculty football in 2026.
The Aztecs have been formidable in only their second season under coach Sean Lewis — who was believed to be a Plan B if the Bruins couldn’t snag Chesney — by going 9-4 in 2025. But the unhappy reality is that they’re 1-22-1 all time in their sequence with the Bruins. (Thanks, Chip Kelly, for the one UCLA loss!)
This ought to be more of the standard Bruins dominance. Prediction: Win, 2-0.
Purdue, Sept. 19
Poor Barry Odom. His offense was terrible in his debut season, and his protection was worse.
The Boilermakers haven’t gained a Big Ten game since 2023, dropping 18 straight. Even if they’re considerably better than last season, it gained’t be almost enough to beat the Bruins on the highway. Prediction: Win, 3-0.
Kyle Whittingham of the Utah Utes reacts to a play during the first half of a game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah. (ISI Photos via Getty Images) ISI Photos via Getty Images
at Maryland, Sept. 26
Does anybody foresee UCLA-Maryland turning into a compelling rivalry?
Me neither.
The Terrapins have been horrible in back-to-back seasons under the grandfatherly Mike Locksley, whose time on campus could also be up if his staff isn’t significantly improved in 2026. That appears unlikely. Prediction: Win, 4-0.
at Oregon, Oct. 10
UCLA’s early-season pleasure experience will end in emphatic fashion at Autzen Stadium, where Chesney’s ultimate James Madison staff was knocked out of the CFP last December.
There’s widespread perception that the Ducks have the most expertise of any staff in the nation, beginning with quarterback Dante Moore. The onetime Bruin will be motivated to pummel the staff that benched him halfway through a irritating freshman season. Prediction: Loss, 4-1.
Wisconsin, Oct. 17
Longtime UCLA followers will eternally cringe at the point out of Barry Alvarez and Ron Dayne given what those Badgers of yore did to their beloved Bruins.
Wisconsin hasn’t been almost as formidable under coach Luke Fickell, who appeared like the right match when he arrived from Cincinnati. His 17-21 file has made this a do-or-die season, and the Badgers don’t appear outfitted to do a lot. Prediction: Win, 5-1.
Michigan State, Oct. 24
New coach Pat Fitzgerald labored some severe magic at Northwestern before being introduced down by a hazing scandal for which he was later largely vindicated.
Now he inherits another mess after changing Jonathan Smith, and an speedy turnaround appears unlikely given the shortage of expertise on the roster. Prediction: Win, 6-1.
Nevada, Oct. 31
UCLA college students ought to gown up as former Bruins and current Wolf Pack basketball coach Steve Alford for this Halloween game, which might add some intrigue to an night that in any other case figures to lack for drama. Prediction: Win, 7-1.
at Minnesota, Nov. 7
P.J. Fleck, a candidate for the UCLA job when it went to Foster, will have additional incentive to win this game — particularly if the Bruins come in nationally ranked.
Having quarterback Drake Lindsey among a bevy of returning starters might make the Golden Gophers a darkish horse contender in the Big Ten. Prediction: Loss, 7-2.
Illinois, Nov. 13
Even though the Illini are coming off 10-3 and 9-4 seasons under Bret Bielema, heavy turnover makes another strong end unlikely.
While switch quarterback Katin Houser confirmed vital promise the last two seasons at East Carolina, an excessive amount of of the offense is in flux. Prediction: Win, 8-2.
Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans gestures during the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on Dec. 30, 2025. (Getty Images) Getty Images
at Michigan, Nov. 21
Known for doing more with less at Utah, Kyle Whittingham now has access to a considerably stronger expertise pipeline.
Quarterback Bryce Underwood will benefit from having 4 beginning offensive linemen back, not to point out star working back Jordan Marshall. Whittingham’s dominance of the Bruins will continue for another 12 months. Prediction: Loss, 8-3.
USC, Nov. 28
Chesney didn’t shrink back from predicting success in the crosstown rivalry, saying UCLA could be the staff in LA “in the very, very near future.”
That time will come Thanksgiving week. With a rollicking Rose Bowl crowd buzzing after UCLA takes an early lead, the Bruins maintain on for a memorable upset to knock the Trojans out of CFP rivalry. Prediction: Win, 9-3.
Alamo Bowl vs. BYU, Dec. 29
Kalani Sitake has had the Cougars on the brink of the CFP in each of the last two seasons, and this one will be no different.
After finally falling short, BYU finds some solace in a tightly contested game against the Bruins, who nonetheless will really feel more than happy with their first season under Chesney. Prediction: Loss, 9-4.
Stay up to date with the latest trending topics! Visit our web site daily for the freshest Sports news and content, rigorously curated to keep you informed.
