USC has a very clear goal this season: Make the College Football Playoff. What should UCLA football’s goal be in 2026? We asked UCLA Wire editor Dylan McNeill:
“There are a couple of main goals for UCLA in Bob Chesney’s first season with the team,” McNeill told us. “At this point a winning season is well within reach for the team, but I think just looking competitive, or at least like a worthy opponent, to the top teams in the Big Ten. USC, Oregon, Michigan and Illinois are all on the schedule. In how many of those games can the Bruins keep things close? UCLA has been outclassed in their two seasons in the Big Ten. Does that change in one offseason under Chesney? If so, it sets the program to take an even more important step in 2027.”
McNeill might be cautious in his goal-setting, but to be fair, UCLA football has struggled so profoundly in recent seasons that it still might be asking a lot to expect UCLA to win seven or more games. When a program has been so down for so long, it’s hard to instantly change expectations and beliefs. However, Bob Chesney might be good enough to deliver in his first season. If he lives up to the hype, UCLA could be good sooner rather than later.
USC obviously hopes that won’t be the case. The Trojans have plenty to worry about in the Big Ten. They hope UCLA won’t be worth too much worrying in the immediate future.
Contact/Follow @TrojansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of USC Trojans news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Behind Enemy Lines: What is a realistic goal for 2026 UCLA football?
Reporting by Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire | USA TODAY Network
