- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,253,867
- Reaction score
- 59
It’s not too much of a question that the 2026 UCLA Bruins will be an improvement to last year’s 3-9 catastrophe, it’s just a matter of how much better UCLA will be with new head coach Bob Chesney taking the helm.
The Big Ten Conference is unforgiving, so climbing to the top half of the conference standings is far from a given, even with Chesney and the new coaching staff building a ton of momentum heading into the new season.
Steven Lassan of Athlon Sports released his Big Ten Conference standing prediction, with UCLA down at the No. 12 spot. Lassan predicts that the Ohio State Buckeyes will reclaim their spot atom the conference, with Indiana, Oregon, Michigan and USC rounding out the top-five.
Here’s what Lassan had to say about UCLA.
“Expect the Bruins to be among the nation’s most-improved teams in 2026. UCLA made one of the offseason’s top hires with Bob Chesney arriving on the West Coast after a successful two-year stint at James Madison,” Lassan wrote. “Chesney brought a handful of transfers from JMU to help speed up the program’s transition, including running back Wayne Knight, offensive lineman Carter Sweazie, defensive end Sahir West and receiver Landon Ellis.”
Even with the improvements that the Bruins made to their offensive line, there’s still a chance that the group isn’t up to par in the Big Ten, a fact that Lassan points out.
“If the offense stumbles in ‘26, it’s likely due to a revamped offensive line. An experienced secondary leads the way on defense, with transfers all over the projected lineup in the trenches and at linebacker,” Lassan said. “Assuming Chesney and the new staff find the right answers on both lines of scrimmage, a bowl trip in ‘26 should be within reach.”
Even with a 12th place finish in the conference, Lassan still believes that UCLA could be bowl game-bound in Chesney’s first season in Westwood.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Athlon Sports doesn't predict a Top-10 finish for UCLA in the Big Ten
Continue reading...
The Big Ten Conference is unforgiving, so climbing to the top half of the conference standings is far from a given, even with Chesney and the new coaching staff building a ton of momentum heading into the new season.
Steven Lassan of Athlon Sports released his Big Ten Conference standing prediction, with UCLA down at the No. 12 spot. Lassan predicts that the Ohio State Buckeyes will reclaim their spot atom the conference, with Indiana, Oregon, Michigan and USC rounding out the top-five.
Here’s what Lassan had to say about UCLA.
“Expect the Bruins to be among the nation’s most-improved teams in 2026. UCLA made one of the offseason’s top hires with Bob Chesney arriving on the West Coast after a successful two-year stint at James Madison,” Lassan wrote. “Chesney brought a handful of transfers from JMU to help speed up the program’s transition, including running back Wayne Knight, offensive lineman Carter Sweazie, defensive end Sahir West and receiver Landon Ellis.”
Even with the improvements that the Bruins made to their offensive line, there’s still a chance that the group isn’t up to par in the Big Ten, a fact that Lassan points out.
“If the offense stumbles in ‘26, it’s likely due to a revamped offensive line. An experienced secondary leads the way on defense, with transfers all over the projected lineup in the trenches and at linebacker,” Lassan said. “Assuming Chesney and the new staff find the right answers on both lines of scrimmage, a bowl trip in ‘26 should be within reach.”
Even with a 12th place finish in the conference, Lassan still believes that UCLA could be bowl game-bound in Chesney’s first season in Westwood.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Athlon Sports doesn't predict a Top-10 finish for UCLA in the Big Ten
Continue reading...
