UCLA’s unbeaten start under Bob Chesney has pushed the Bruins into the College Football Playoff conversation, overtaking their crosstown rivals USC in the Pac-12 standings after a 12th-place ranking this week. The Bruins’ recent victory over Oregon at Autzen Stadium has not only extended their perfect record but also intensified USC’s challenges in making the playoff.
Matt Zemek of Trojans Wire outlined the implications for USC, noting that while the Trojans aim to reach the College Football Playoff for the first time under Lincoln Riley, UCLA may beat them to it. “USC football is trying to do something it has not yet done: Make the College Football Playoff. Guess what? The UCLA Bruins might get to the playoff before USC does. It's awful and horrible, but it's true,” Zemek wrote. He pointed out that UCLA’s win against Oregon, a team USC lost to earlier this season, has allowed the Bruins to leapfrog the Trojans in the rankings.
USC faces a tough schedule down the stretch, needing to win two of three upcoming games against Ohio State, Indiana, and UCLA itself, in addition to victories over Wisconsin and Maryland, to keep playoff hopes alive. Zemek questioned the likelihood of USC pulling off this sequence, implying it will be a steep climb.
Meanwhile, UCLA’s remaining season looks more manageable. Besides the looming clash with USC, the Bruins will face Minnesota and Michigan as their toughest tests. Maintaining their unbeaten run could realistically lead to a 10-2 finish, which would likely secure a playoff berth.
Chesney’s impact on UCLA has been immediate. This season marks his first with the Bruins after guiding another team to the College Football Playoff last year. Should UCLA make the postseason, it would be a back-to-back playoff appearance for Chesney, achieved with two different programs. At 49, the coach is quickly establishing himself among the nation’s top coaches.
The Bruins’ rise has added a new dimension to the Pac-12 race, complicating USC’s path forward. UCLA’s win over Oregon on Saturday was a statement result, with the Bruins overcoming a team that had previously handed USC a loss. That victory propelled UCLA into the No. 12 spot in the polls, further solidifying their position ahead of their rivals.
With the Pac-12 race tightening, the upcoming UCLA-USC showdown gains even more significance. The Bruins’ unbeaten record and higher ranking put pressure on USC to perform in what could be a decisive game for playoff hopes. The Bruins’ ability to sustain their form under Chesney remains a focal point as the season progresses.
According to Yahoo Sports.
