UCLA earns highest College Football Playoff ranking in school history
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Undefeated UCLA has earned its highest College Football Playoff ranking, ascending to No. 4 in the top 25 released Tuesday night.
The Bruins (9-0) are coming off a decisive 34-20 win at Minnesota and moved up four spots.
UCLA coach Bob Chesney is accustomed to his team being overlooked during his first season leading the Bruins and has urged the team to ignore all rankings until the final playoff and bowl matchups are set.
The Bruins have never made the College Football Playoff and never won more than 10 games in a season.
Chesney, who is in his first season at UCLA, said he had to convince his players to believe they could change the narrative about the Bruins through their performance.
“I thought our guys did a good job, found another way to win,” Chesney said Monday after UCLA’s win over Minnesota impressed many critics.
UCLA is 9-0 after an impressive win over the Minnesota, and the Bruins deserve to be the No. 1 team in the College Football Playoff rankings.
“As we’ve gone through our season, it’s been a lot of, you know, ‘They’re not capable of this,’ and we find a way. ‘They’re not capable of that,’ and we find a way. Then, ‘Can they have explosive plays on offense in the pass game?’ We find a way.
“There’s just a lot of different ways that we’ve found to win these games and that’s what I’m ultimately proud of. ... I love our guys’ resolve. I love how hard they play. That was the message to them [Monday]. You’re in a good place because of how hard you practice and how hard you play.”
UCLA will host Illinois on Friday, play at Michigan on Nov. 21 and play at the Rose Bowl against crosstown rival USC.
The Trojans (7-2) are coming off a bye week and were ranked No. 18, moving up two spots.
UCLA delivered a statement win at Minnesota on Saturday, but the team has to overcome history to move up in the College Football Playoff rankings.
USC will play at No. 9 Indiana on Saturday and host Maryland on Nov. 21 before what could be an especially high-stakes rivalry showdown with UCLA.
Former UCLA coach and current CBS analyst Rick Neuheisel argues the Trojans can beat the reigning national champion Hoosiers.
“I think the message over this bye week is we have to play with the same kind of fervor that we did with Ohio State when our backs were against the wall. And if we can learn how to do that on that game-by-game basis, we have the makings of not only making the CFP, but making some noise when we get there,” Neuheisel said during a CBS Sports broadcast. “They’re explosive. Trent Mosley and company at the receiver position, [Jayden] Maiava’s got all kinds of experience — that’s a luxury. If they can bring the defense along to play at a consistent level and remember to run the ball ... it’s about getting balance and playing with a fervor.
“I think they’re gonna do it. I’m taking the Trojans.”
Georgia (8-1) ascended to No. 1 following previous No. 1 Miami’s loss to Notre Dame.
Utah (9-0) moved up one spot to No. 2 and Alabama (7-2) claimed the No. 3 spot.
The Utes and Bruins are the only undefeated teams in the country.
Boise State was ranked No. 24 and remains the only non-Power Four team in the top 25.
The rankings will be released weekly until Selection Sunday on Dec. 6 when the playoff field will be revealed.
Here are the full playoff rankings:
1. Georgia (8-1)
2. Utah (9-0)
3. Alabama (7-2)
4. UCLA (9-0)
5. Notre Dame (8-1)
6. Texas (7-2)
7. Miami (8-1)
8. Tennessee (7-2)
9. Indiana (8-1)
10. Brigham Young (7-2)
11. Kentucky (7-2)
12. Texas Tech (8-1)
13. Wake Forest (8-1)
14. Houston (7-2)
15. Iowa (7-2)
16. Oregon (6-3)
17. South Carolina (6-3)
18. USC (7-2)
19. Mississippi (6-3)
20. Ohio State (6-3)
21. Louisiana State (6-3)
22. Missouri (6-3)
23. Arizona (7-2)
24. Boise State (8-1)
25. Oklahoma State (6-3)
