The UCLA Bruins continue their push for a perfect season during Bob Chesney’s first year as head football coach.
They already matched the program's wins record (10) on Friday, Nov. 13, with a 22-14 victory over Illinois at the Rose Bowl.
“It took a lot of heart from a lot of different guys to step up,” Chesney told Fox Sports after the win. “... We are never going to give up and we are never going to waver.”
They already have the most regular-season wins for the program since 1998, when the team finished 10-2. The Bruins have had three other 10-win seasons since then, but those 10th wins came in bowl games.
The 2026 Bruins still have a lot more to play for, as they are currently ranked No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings.
They have two
more Big Ten Conference games to finish out the season, including a road game against Michigan and the season finale against rival USC.
Chesney has helped the Bruins make significant strides, but a lot can change over the next two weeks. A loss (or two) could be all the reason the CFP committee needs to take them out of contention.
Here are three worries that could derail UCLA's perfect season:
Ty Dieffenbach's health
Wayne Knight and UCLA's run game were impressive and played a big role in helping the Bruins find success early in the season.
Quarterback Ty Dieffenbach started the season as the team’s third-string quarterback before making his UCLA debut against Oregon. He has since provided an element that's helped balance out UCLA's offense.
Nico Iamaleava returned for a second season as the team’s starting quarterback but suffered an injury against Oregon, providing Dieffenbach with a chance to play on Oct. 17.
The loss of a veteran quarterback would dampen most seasons. But Dieffenbach has garnered attention with his arm in recent weeks, with five of his six November touchdowns going 20 or more yards.
The quarterback did have a bit of a health scare, briefly leaving the game against Illinois with an injury to his non-throwing arm.
"He kind of hit his funny bone or something, but it kind of got really nervy in there for him," Chesney said during his media availability after the game. "We were just a little bit concerned about that. And then he's been just fighting an ankle thing for a little while. ... But ultimately, he just gets up and goes and neither of them are enough to keep him off the field.”
Dieffenbach returned in the second half, led the Bruins and put the game vs. Illinois out of reach. He found Semaj Morgan for a 26-yard touchdown with 11:38 left in the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Madden Iamaleava would be the next quarterback available for the Bruins if Dieffenbach goes out. He has little playing experience during his college career.
The Bruins' offensive line has also dealt with injuries, which leads to a constant shift of adjustments. Offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy and his staff have been intentional about exposure and experience within the offensive line room, rotating players on the front line to gain experience as a unit early in the season. It may work to their advantage if the protection up front can continue to keep Dieffenbach upright and healthy.
Could longtime foe Kyle Whittingham spoil UCLA's run?
The Bruins will next travel to the Big House for a conference matchup against the Michigan Wolverines. The stakes will be high for UCLA, which is looking to clinch a spot in the Big Ten championship game.
Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham is no stranger to UCLA. He spent over three decades with the Utah Utes, including 22 years as the program's head coach. He has a 9-5 record against the Bruins, with wins in six of their last seven meetings.
The Wolverines have experienced some growing pains during Whittingham’s first season at the helm.
Michigan’s quarterback situation has been complex this season. Freshman Tommy Carr started for Michigan on Nov. 14 in the eventual 31-7 loss to Oregon before being benched and replaced by sophomore Bryce Underwood, the former starter.
Can USC trip up rival UCLA?
If UCLA does manage to pick up a road victory against Michigan and secure a spot in the conference title game, might it overlook USC?
Chesney has said all the right things when it comes to avoiding distractions, including over UCLA's place in the CFP rankings, but things will be magnified if the Bruins are 11-0.
The stakes may not be as high as they could’ve been if the Trojans were still a two-loss team vying for a spot in the title game, but you never know what can happen when the rivals share the field at the Rose Bowl.
USC leads the all-time series 52-34-7.
The Bruins have lost their last two meetings against the Trojans, including the last time they played in Pasadena in 2024. The Battle for LA saw the teams exchange wins on the road from 2020 to 2024.
USC followed up its bye week after a 30-18 home victory over Ohio State on Oct. 31 with a 27-13 loss to Indiana on the road. The Trojans enter their penultimate regular season game against Maryland with a 7-3 record.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 3 factors that could deny UCLA football a perfect season
