UCLA is one of the biggest surprises of the college football season, and the Bruins pulled off their biggest upset yet with a road win over Oregon, 17-15.
New head coach Bob Chesney has been a revelation in Los Angeles, turning around a team that only won three games last year. Now , UCLA not only has a chance to compete for a Big Ten title, it is in strong position to make the College Football Playoff as well.
With five games in the books, UCLA has one of the easier remaining schedules among CFP contenders. While the Bruins still have a rivalry game vs. USC to play, the rest of their opponents do not appear as fierce as the Trojans.
Here’s a look at why UCLA should feel good about its Playoff chances.
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UCLA remaining schedule
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
| 10/17 | vs. Wisconsin | TBD |
| 10/24 | vs. Michigan State | TBD |
| 10/31 | vs. Nevada | TBD |
| 11/7 | @ Minnesota | TBD |
| 11/13 | vs. Illinois | 9:00 p.m. |
| 11/21 | @ Michigan | TBD |
| 11/28 | vs. USC | TBD |
The rest of the way, UCLA plays five of its final seven regular season games at home, with just the final game of the season coming against a current ranked opponent. Additionally, both of the Bruins’ road games are against non-ranked teams, as they must travel to the midwest to play Minnesota and Michigan.
Therefore, UCLA is in prime position to make the College Football Playoff. The Bruins are undefeated, so they have enough margin of error where they could probably lose a game down the stretch and be in CFP position.
If UCLA handles business during the regular season, they also have a strong chance to play in the Big Ten Championship Game, where a win means an automatic spot in the CFP. The Bruins have never played in the Big Ten title game, and only played in the Pac-12 title game in 2011 and 2012 when they were in that conference.
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Bob Chesney contract details
Chesney signed a five-year, $33.75 million deal with UCLA in December of last year, tying him with the team through 2030. The way this season is headed, though, he could be in line for a raise after just one year on the job.
UCLA head football coach Bob Chesney’s contract runs five seasons (2026-2030) for an average annual value of $6,750,000 per year ($33,750,000 overall), per UCLA Athletics.
— Benjamin Royer (@thebenroyer) December 9, 2025
Bob Chesney career record
| Year | Team | Record |
| 2010 | Salve Regina | 6-3 |
| 2011 | Salve Regina | 8-3 |
| 2012 | Salve Regina | 9-2 |
| 2013 | Assumption | 6-5 |
| 2014 | Assumption | 7-4 |
| 2015 | Assumption | 11-2 |
| 2016 | Assumption | 9-3 |
| 2017 | Assumption | 11-2 |
| 2018 | Holy Cross | 5-6 |
| 2019 | Holy Cross | 7-6 |
| 2020 | Holy Cross | 3-1 |
| 2021 | Holy Cross | 10-3 |
| 2022 | Holy Cross | 12-1 |
| 2023 | Holy Cross | 7-4 |
| 2024 | James Madison | 9-4 |
| 2025 | James Madison | 12-2 |
| 2026 | UCLA | 5-0 |
| CAREER | 137-52 |
Chesney began his head coaching career for D-III Salve Regina, working his way up to the Big Ten. He also coached Assumption, Holy Cross and James Madison before he took the UCLA job last year.
Chesney has only produced one losing season since 2010, along with five double-digit win seasons, and he is off to a hot start with UCLA. Since 2021, Chesney has a record of 55-14 for three different schools in three different conferences.
