Written by Eric Martinez - UCLA football is quickly emerging as one of the most surprising stories in college football for 2026. Under the leadership of first-year head coach Bob Chesney, the Bruins have transformed from a struggling 3–9 team into an impressive 5–0 program, now ranked No. 12 in the nation. Their most significant achievement came on October 10, when UCLA edged out Oregon with a tight 17–15 victory on the road, showcasing their ability to compete against the best teams in the Big Ten.

The Bruins' ascent is drawing parallels to Indiana, which underwent a remarkable transformation from an overlooked program to national champions under Curt Cignetti. Much like Cignetti, Chesney has instilled a winning culture and recruited players from James Madison, facilitating UCLA's rapid turnaround. The foundation of UCLA’s success lies in their aggressive style of play, a powerful rushing game, and an improved defense. With quarterback Nico Iamaleava at the helm, the Bruins have positioned themselves as serious contenders for the College Football Playoff.  While a championship run is still a distant goal, UCLA has already shifted the narrative around their program. If they maintain their winning streak, they could emulate Indiana's journey and earn a place among college football's most remarkable success stories. Indiana made history in 2025, and now UCLA aims to achieve something similar in 2026.



However, UCLA's aspirations of mirroring Indiana's success have taken a significant hit. Star quarterback Nico Iamaleava sustained a knee injury during the Bruins' narrow victory against Oregon and is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the 2026 season, according to reports. Head coach Bob Chesney stated the team is awaiting further medical updates. With UCLA standing at 5–0 and ranked No. 12 nationally, backup Ty Dieffenbach will play a crucial role in maintaining the Bruins' hopes for the College Football Playoff. Now, UCLA must demonstrate that their remarkable turnaround can persist even without their starting quarterback.