UCLA Drops to No. 8 in CFP Rankings Despite Undefeated Record
The CFP committee placed the Bruins below Indiana and Alabama, citing strength of schedule and game evaluation.
By Ana Castro ·
UCLA entered the 2026 College Football Playoff rankings as an undefeated team, but the committee placed the Bruins at No. 8. This position is three spots lower than their standing in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The ranking puts the program behind No. 4 Indiana, a Big Ten rival with one loss, and No. 5 Alabama, an SEC team with two losses.
The selection committee released its first rankings on Tuesday. The Bruins had finished their previous week with a victory over Purdue, which initially secured them a spot in the top 12. However, the committee ranked them four spots behind Indiana. Utah, which joined the Big 12, held the No. 3 spot despite playing a schedule ranked 83rd in strength. UCLA’s schedule was ranked 77th, according to ESPN Football Power Index data.
Hunter Yurachek, the chair of the CFP committee, addressed the ranking decision on Tuesday. He stated that the committee viewed Utah as a better team based on game evaluation. Yurachek noted that Utah displays balance offensively and features a dynamic quarterback. He said the committee felt Utah was above UCLA after watching their games.
Head coach Bob Chesney has emphasized that the Bruins should ignore external metrics. Before the rankings were revealed, Chesney told players at practice that the score at halftime and the record entering November are the two most meaningless statistics in college sports. He reiterated this stance on October 26, saying he does not care about the team's rank. The coach will not speak to local media until after the team plays at Minnesota on Saturday at 9 a.m. PT.
Other programs also received lower rankings than their AP counterparts. No. 12 Ohio State fell eight spots behind Indiana. No. 11 Notre Dame dropped seven spots below its AP rank due to its schedule. No. 9 BYU suffered from an upset loss at UCF, while No. 2 Georgia’s loss to Auburn did not drop its position as sharply. Three-loss teams from Oregon, Florida, and South Carolina secured spots over several Group of Six programs.
UCLA’s remaining schedule ranks 33rd in strength of schedule. The team must perform consistently to maintain or improve its standing. Any losses could push the Bruins out of the top 12. The schedule includes home games against Illinois, Michigan, and No. 20 USC, along with the upcoming trip to Minnesota.
The Bruins' defense currently ranks fifth in the FBS, allowing 13.4 points per game. The unit leads the FBS in forced turnovers with 26. The rushing attack ranks 15th, averaging 219.5 yards per game. Quarterback Ty Dieffenbach must establish a consistent passing game. The committee judges often consider the visibility of the quarterback, particularly if a backup is starting.
If the season ended today, UCLA would play No. 9 BYU in the first round at the Rose Bowl. The program has transformed from a three-win team last season to an undefeated juggernaut under Chesney. The team has covered the betting spread in all eight games this season. The Bruins will continue to focus on their internal performance rather than the rankings.
