UCLA has done enough early to get noticed, but not enough to crack the AP Top 25 yet. The Bruins are 3-0 under Bob Chesney, have already beaten two Power Conference opponents and a decent San Diego State team, and still find themselves on the outside of the rankings. They did, however, pick up ten votes in the latest AP Poll, which at least puts them on the radar.
The next step is obvious: beat Maryland and get to 4-0. A win would push UCLA to 2-0 in conference play, while a loss to the Terrapins would pretty much wipe out any near-term chance of seeing a number next to the Bruins’ name.
Even then, the path into the poll is not straightforward. There are simply too many teams ahead of UCLA in the voting, so the Bruins would likely need help from other results and a few teams dropping out.
Maryland is not a simple tune-up. The Terrapins bring a solid passing attack that could test UCLA’s secondary, and the Bruins are also heading on the road for the first time since the opener against Cal. A victory would strengthen the resume, but it may not be the kind of statement that vaults UCLA into the rankings by itself.
The defense remains the biggest question mark. Through three games, UCLA has been all over the map on that side of the ball, giving up 38 points and 488 yards against Purdue, then tightening up to allow just 10 points and 189 yards against San Diego State.
The one constant has been turnovers. The Bruins have forced at least one takeaway in every game this season, and that kind of disruption could matter if the rest of the performance comes together.
Offensively, Week Three was Nico Iamaleava’s best outing so far, and UCLA will need more of that against Maryland. If he keeps playing at that level, the Bruins start looking like a more complete team rather than one leaning heavily on the run game. That balance could be enough to help them jump some teams that are sliding in the wrong direction.
UCLA’s offense also comes in hot after a huge showing against the Boilermakers, when the Bruins piled up 645 yards and seven touchdowns in a conference-opening win. If they can pair that kind of firepower with steadier defense, they’ll give AP voters something real to think about. Whether the rankings come this week or later, Maryland offers another chance to keep the momentum moving in the right direction.
In Other News...
UCLA Faces Two Pressure Points That Could Define Week 4
Maryland brings a passing game that has already asked questions of opposing defenses, and UCLA enters Week 4 with a couple of areas under the microscope. Quarterback Malik Washington has been efficient through the air, while receiver Chris Durr Jr. has kept growing as a target, giving the Bruins a real test for a secondary that has looked vulnerable at times.
On the other side, UCLA is still searching for a clear lead option at wide receiver after recent injuries have thinned the room. That puts more pressure on the offense to find someone who can step into a bigger role, and it also raises the stakes for a defense that needs a cleaner showing in the back end if the Bruins want to leave this matchup feeling better about where they stand. [Read more 🡒]
UCLA Heads To Maryland With One Health Concern Still Looming
UCLA heads into its second conference game against Maryland with the injury report still shaping the conversation around the Bruins as much as the matchup itself. Tao Johnson is set to miss his third full game, Mikey Matthews is already out for the season after foot surgery, and Josh Phifer has sat out the last two games, leaving the staff to keep piecing together the roster as league play ramps up.
Maryland brings its own health issues to the meeting, with a much longer report that includes 21 players and 16 listed out for the game. For UCLA, the concern is less about the numbers on the other side and more about how long it can keep absorbing these absences before the lineup starts to show the strain in a conference race where every week seems to tighten the margin for error. [Read more 🡒]
Sammy Omosigho Is Giving UCLA A Draft Storyline Fans Should Notice
Sammy Omosigho has quietly become one of the more interesting defensive stories around UCLA over the last three games. The linebacker, who transferred in from Oklahoma, has led the Bruins in tackles, sacks and forced fumbles during that stretch, a burst of production that stands out not just for the team, but against what he had done in his previous seasons with the Sooners.
For a defense still sorting itself out, Omosighos role has started to feel bigger by the week, especially with him serving as a captain. He is still viewed by many as a late-day three or undrafted type, but that part of the conversation can change quickly if he keeps stacking plays like this. Scouts are expected to keep a close eye on how he develops from here, because UCLA may have found a player whose best tape is arriving at the right time. [Read more 🡒]