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Mar. 24—***
DeShaun Foster's first year in charge at his alma mater UCLA did not start well. New to the Big Ten, UCLA was 1-5 at the halfway point, including convincing losses against Indiana, LSU, Oregon and Penn State.
But Foster's guys figured it out, winning four of their final six. They dropped a close game against rival Southern California and just missed a bowl with a 5-7 record.
To take the next step in 2025 and reach the postseason, the Bruins need to navigate a nonconference schedule that includes three challenging schedule. I rate UCLA's nonconference batch No. 9 among the Big Ten teams.
UCLA opens with Utah at the Rose Bowl. The Utes, now in the Big 12, are coming off an un-Utah-like 5-7 finish. Count on Utah to be ready when it arrives at the Rose Bowl.
UCLA's second game at UNLV could be a greater challenge than the Utah matchup. The Bruins travel to UNLV for a game against the Rebels. UNLV finished 11-3 in 2024, lost coach Barry Odom to Purdue and replaced him with former Florida boss Dan Mullen. The team is going to continue to compete at a high level and a win against the Bruins will be a great sign if it happens.
UCLA closes the noncon with a game against New Mexico. If Foster and UCLA can get past the first three unscathed, they still have a loaded Big Ten schedule to deal with.
UCLA plays at Indiana, Ohio State and Southern California and also hosts Penn State. Yikes.
If Foster wins eight or more, he could be a top candidate for Big Ten Coach of the Year.
Continue reading...
DeShaun Foster's first year in charge at his alma mater UCLA did not start well. New to the Big Ten, UCLA was 1-5 at the halfway point, including convincing losses against Indiana, LSU, Oregon and Penn State.
But Foster's guys figured it out, winning four of their final six. They dropped a close game against rival Southern California and just missed a bowl with a 5-7 record.
To take the next step in 2025 and reach the postseason, the Bruins need to navigate a nonconference schedule that includes three challenging schedule. I rate UCLA's nonconference batch No. 9 among the Big Ten teams.
UCLA opens with Utah at the Rose Bowl. The Utes, now in the Big 12, are coming off an un-Utah-like 5-7 finish. Count on Utah to be ready when it arrives at the Rose Bowl.
UCLA's second game at UNLV could be a greater challenge than the Utah matchup. The Bruins travel to UNLV for a game against the Rebels. UNLV finished 11-3 in 2024, lost coach Barry Odom to Purdue and replaced him with former Florida boss Dan Mullen. The team is going to continue to compete at a high level and a win against the Bruins will be a great sign if it happens.
UCLA closes the noncon with a game against New Mexico. If Foster and UCLA can get past the first three unscathed, they still have a loaded Big Ten schedule to deal with.
UCLA plays at Indiana, Ohio State and Southern California and also hosts Penn State. Yikes.
If Foster wins eight or more, he could be a top candidate for Big Ten Coach of the Year.
Continue reading...
