It's Bob Chesney's world, we're just living in it.
UCLA's latest win – a 17-7 victory over a resurgent Wisconsin team that entered Saturday on a four-game win streak – was yet another statement in a season that's been full of them, and Chesney's peers appear to agree as the Bruins rose to No. 10 in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll. It's their first time cracking the top 10 in four years.
The Bruins' dominant ground game was held to just 120 yards by a Badger defense that's prided itself on its ability to stop the run, and with Nico Iamaleava out for the season the game was forced into backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach's hands. The Cal Poly transfer rose to the occasion, leading UCLA on an 89-yard drive at the beginning of the fourth quarter with a pair
of big passes to Landon Ellis and Semaj Morgan to get into the red zone. Two plays later, Anthony Woods capped off the series with a rushing touchdown that ultimately sealed the Bruins' sixth win.
The defense also continued its mean streak, holding an opposing offense to under 20 points for the fourth time this year.
It's the Bruins' best start to a season since 2022, and just the third time they've gone 6-0 since 2005. UCLA is the last undefeated team standing in either the Big Ten or SEC after a wild week of upsets across the college football landscape.
"I think this one changes things," Chesney told reporters about his team's place in the national conversation. "I would hope a little bit."
It has.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UCLA's resurgence continues. The polls are starting to take notice
