Following UCLA’s 17-15 win over Oregon this past weekend, nothing seems out of reach for the new-look Bruins program.
UCLA remains unbeaten at 5-0, being one of just two undefeated Big Ten teams along with the Indiana Hoosiers.
As the Bruins keep winning, the rest of the country is seeing what UCLA has in new head coach Bob Chesney, who appears to be a serious program-changer. Trojans Wire writer Matt Zemek wrote about Chesney’s impact on a previously struggling UCLA football program.
“It's happening. It really is happening. Bob Chesney is becoming the West Coast Curt Cignetti before our eyes. With James Madison, he had no chance in Autzen Stadium last December,” Zemek said. “He left James Madison to go to the Big Ten, much as Cignetti did earlier
this decade. In Year 1, he is going above and beyond, instantly shattering and transcending expectations at a long-dormant program beset by fan apathy, low attendance, a hollowed-out culture, and very little belief that greatness was possible.”
The Chesney-Curt Cignetti comparisons are easy to make but until something changes, they’ll continue to be made, with Chesney looking like he’s leading a program turnaround just as Cignetti did with Indiana.
“You probably saw the 60 Minutes interview with Cignetti in which he recalled what it was like to walk inside the Indiana football offices upon being newly hired as head coach. No one in the building believed. No one had any standards. No one seemed to know how to go about daily business,” Zemek said. “Curt Cignetti had to build everything from the ground up and completely change a culture. He didn't inherit anything of real value. He had to build this operation from scratch. What Cignetti faced at Indiana, Bob Chesney faced at UCLA.”
5-0 isn’t the end-goal for Chesney and the Bruins but after the hot start. UCLA has a real chance at the College Football Playoffs in year one under Chesney.
“The Bruins could lose twice and still make the playoff. Remember: Michigan, Penn State, now Oregon, and other Big Ten teams have already lost twice. UCLA going 10-2 likely puts the Bruins in third place in the Big Ten behind Ohio State and Indiana,” Zemek said. “Barring an unlikely plot twist, that will get them into the playoff. The SEC isn't going to get six teams in. The Big 12 isn't going to get four in. The ACC isn't going to get three in. There just aren't enough spots to go around. Third place in the Big Ten should get the job done for UCLA. Making the playoff would be transformative for UCLA. No one needs to explain it. Bob Chesney is the Western Cignetti. It's every UCLA fan's dream, and every USC fan's nightmare.”
While the rest of the Big Ten comes to realize what UCLA football has in Chesney, the Bruins are living the dream, riding high for the first time since joining the Big Ten Conference.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Is Bob Chesney leading UCLA to the CFP in year one of his tenure?
