Making headway in the Big Ten Conference will be an uphill battle for the UCLA Bruins in year one of Bob Chesney’s tenure in Westwood. UCLA appears to be an improved squad coming off of last year’s 3-9 season, but that doesn’t mean things will be easy for the Bruins.
Last year the Bruins had to face the eventual national champion Indiana Hoosiers and the reigning national champion Ohio State Buckeyes. Things don’t lighten up too much in 2026, UCLA will have to face the Oregon Ducks and the 2023 national champs, Michigan Wolverines.
247 Sports’ Mike Regalado ranked the Bruins’ 2026 opponents from easiest to hardest. Regalado’s rankings has UCLA’s top-five hardest matchups all coming against Big Ten Conference foes.
12. Home versus Nevada, October 31st.
Like the Bruins, Nevada is coming off of a 3-9 season too. After struggling against non-conference opponents in 2025, this is a must-win for the Bruins.
11. Home versus Purdue, September 19th.
UCLA’s most favorable Big Ten matchup just so happens to be their first.
10. Home versus San Diego State, September 12th.
The Aztecs will have a chance to upset the Bruins in the Rose Bowl in Week 2.
9. Home versus Michigan State, October 24th.
UCLA handled business against the Spartans last year on the road, now they’ll have a chance to do the same at home.
8. Road versus Maryland, September 26th.
The Bruins held on for a 20-17 win over the Terrapins in 2025, in what was the two school’s first meeting since 1955.
7. Home versus Wisconsin, October 17th.
The October meeting will be the first time that UCLA and Wisconsin have squared off since the year 2000, where the Badgers got a 21-20 Sun Bowl win.
6. Road versus Cal, September 5th.
The season opens with an exciting in-state matchup between two first-year head coaches.
5. Road versus Minnesota, November 7th.
UCLA is seeking their first win on the gridiron against the Golden Gophers since 1978.
4. Home versus Illinois, November 14th.
Illinois will have to travel to the West Coast for a meeting with the Bruins for the first time since beating UCLA in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl in 2011.
3. Home versus USC, November 28th.
The Bruins have dropped their past two meetings against the rival Trojans. We’ll see if Chesney can begin his UCLA tenure with a win over USC.
2. Road versus Michigan, November 21st.
Michigan’s new head coach, Kyle Whittingham, blew out the Bruins last year while coaching Utah.
1. Road versus Oregon, November 10th.
UCLA will match up against their former quarterback, Dante Moore, as he’s looking to lead the Ducks to their first-ever national title.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: 247 Sports ranks each of UCLA football’s 2026 opponents
