Sept. 21, 2026, 12:44 p.m. PT
Three video games into the Bob Chesney tenure, the UCLA Bruins discover themselves at 3-0 with expectations persevering with to develop across the program. Whereas UCLA isn’t but deserving of a High-25 spot, how shut are the Bruins getting?
USA TODAY author Paul Myerburg ranked all 138 NCAA groups, slotting UCLA at No. 40 after the workforce’s win a shootout over Purdue on Saturday. The Bruins scored 52 factors however the UCLA protection appeared leaky, giving this system some cause for concern earlier than the workforce travels throughout the nation to face Maryland Saturday morning.
UCLA is sandwiched in between North Dakota State at No. 39 and Western Michigan at No. 41. Whereas these will not be attractive applications to be subsequent to, they’re high quality applications and it’s seeming like UCLA soccer has develop into a high quality program simply the identical.
Myerburg’s record is topped by Texas, Notre Dame and Georgia. Even with UCLA successful their Large Ten Convention opener, there’s nonetheless a number of Large Ten groups forward of the Bruins in accordance with Myerburg. The defending champion Indiana Hoosiers paved the way at No. 6 with Ohio State proper behind them at No. 7. USC is available in at No. 12, Penn State at No. 15, Michigan at No. 18, Iowa at No. 20, Washington at No. 30, Oregon at No. 32 and Nebraska at No. 37.
It was by no means going to be a fast rise to the highest for the Bruins, who’ve already matched their win complete from 2025, but when UCLA is ready to proceed to stack wins then they’ll proceed to realize extra respect nationally.
