Ohio State’s strong start to the 2026 season has been easy to see. What’s harder to pin down is the team that may be shaping up as the Buckeyes’ biggest threat in the Big Ten - and it’s not one of the usual suspects.
That team is UCLA.
The Bruins are one of four undefeated teams left in Big Ten play, joining Ohio State, Indiana and Wisconsin. They’re 5-0 overall, and their latest win pushed them up to No. 12 in the AP Poll.
That victory came against Oregon, a program that has been part of the Big Ten title conversation in recent seasons and won the conference in its first year in 2024. The loss was Oregon’s second of the year, knocking the Ducks out of the top 25 and effectively out of the Big Ten title race.
Now UCLA has put itself right into the picture no one expected.
The Bruins’ offense is a big reason why. They’re averaging 39.2 points per game, which ranks inside the top 20 nationally. That kind of firepower would be a real problem for Ohio State if the two teams ever met in the Big Ten championship game, especially with the Buckeyes’ defense having its own issues at times.
Of course, that matchup only happens if both teams keep winning. Ohio State and UCLA would need to meet in the Big Ten title game, or cross paths later in the College Football Playoff.
The turnaround in Los Angeles has been fast. Since joining the Big Ten in 2024, UCLA had posted back-to-back losing seasons. But in 2026, the Bruins look completely different, and the coaching change played a major role.
Bob Chesney was hired in December after UCLA’s 3-9 season in 2025. He arrived after rebuilding James Madison into a winner, including back-to-back winning seasons and a spot in the 2025 College Football Playoff.
He’s also gotten the most out of Nico Iamaleava. The Bruins’ starting quarterback has thrown for 982 yards and four touchdowns, and he’s been central to the offense’s success.
There’s still a long road ahead before anything gets decided between these teams. Ohio State faces a top-five test against Indiana on Oct. 17, while UCLA has a night game ahead against Wisconsin.
But if both teams keep rolling, the Bruins could become the one obstacle Ohio State didn’t see coming in its push back toward the top of the Big Ten.
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Ohio State Just Turned Up The Heat On Two Committed 2027 Targets
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Conrad, who had been pledged to Buffalo, landed his first Power 4 offer from Ohio State, while Allen arrived in Columbus as a Wisconsin commit and left with an offer of his own. Both are regarded as highly ranked prospects with strong high school rsums, and the Buckeyes have clearly decided theyre worth pushing on early even with their current commitments elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]