UCLA Reaches No. 4 in AP Poll, Its Best Ranking Since 2001

UCLA reached No. 4 in the AP poll, its highest ranking since the 2001 season, when the Bruins also climbed to No. 4 after beating California in late October. They then lost four straight games and ended that season 7-4, outside the rankings.

The Bruins are 9-0 this season, matching Utah as the only undefeated teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Utah is ranked No. 2. UCLA’s rise comes under new head coach Bob Chesney, following two seasons in which the program won eight games combined under DeShaun Foster and, in 2025, interim coach Tim Skipper.

UCLA has been among the Big Ten’s strongest teams on both sides of the ball, ranking third in the conference in scoring offense at 33.6 points per game and scoring defense, conceding 14.1 points per contest. The Bruins’ running back, Wayne Knight, is tied for the conference lead with 789 rushing yards and leads with 13 rushing touchdowns.

A continued winning run would secure UCLA’s first College Football Playoff berth. After the Bruins beat Minnesota on Saturday, Chesney said the team was focused on its work rather than the upcoming playoff rankings. He urged players not to follow what he called a four-week drama series and to concentrate on being their best.

UCLA’s next goal is to keep winning as the playoff picture develops.