The season is still young but we’re already a fourth of the way through the 2026 season. Things have gone pretty smoothly for the UCLA Bruins, with UCLA creeping into the Top-25 rankings following the team’s 4-0 start to the season.
On Tuesday, USA TODAY sportswriter Paul Myerburg released his 2026 Report Card for the NCAA entering Week 5 this weekend. UCLA was named as one two teams to receive Myerburg’s “Most Improved Team” alongside Mississippi State, who now finds themselves ranked No. 16 after their 4-0 start to the season.
“Mississippi State backdoored into a bowl game last season but has taken a huge leap forward behind second-year quarterback Kamario Taylor. This weekend’s matchup with No. 7 Alabama will show whether the Bulldogs have
staying power,” Myerburg wrote. “UCLA has been a revelation under former James Madison coach Bob Chesney, mirroring a similar trajectory to Indiana in 2024 under another first-year former JMU coach in Curti Cignetti.”
Chesney was named as a shout out for the best first-year head coach, with Myerburg ultimately giving the nod to Florida head coach Jon Sumrall, who has the Gators as the No. 8 team in the country following their 52-28 win over Ole Miss.
The season is still young but this has been the exact start that Chesney and UCLA was looking for. It’s taken less than a month for the Bruins to get national buzz with plenty of room to still grow. The trek continues for the Bruins in Week 6 after a bye, when UCLA heads north to face the No. 15 Oregon Ducks.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA named 'Most Improved Team' in USA TODAY's NCAA report card
