UCLA Football: 2026 Game-By-Game Schedule Predictions

The highly anticipated 2026 football season for UCLA is on the horizon, and first-year Bruins head coach Bob Chesney will have his hands full in the Fall based on their schedule. Yet, the real question resides in how much the Blue and Gold have improved from last season.

The 2026 campaign for UCLA will be one to monitor. The program looks to steer back to its winning ways after three consecutive sub-.500 seasons have brewed frustration in the fan base. 

Nonetheless, the Bruin Faithful look towards 12 new opportunities at redemption beginning this September. 

Make plans now. Our 2026 dates are set! 🗓️✅

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— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) January 27, 2026

UCLA Football: 2026 Schedule Predictions

September 5 at California Golden Bears 

This will be UCLA’s biggest game of the season. The rivalry between these cross-state teams has not simmered down. The last we saw these two teams, Cal steamrolled UCLA in a 33-7 victory at the Rose Bowl in 2023. 

However, a lot has changed since then. Both are headlined by extremely talented quarterbacks — Nico Iamaleava for the Bruins, and Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele for the Bears. The 2026 transfer class for each program went extremely well, stacking talent and filling voids. Yet, the key remains on defense, where Cal’s unit could be the difference-maker late. As great an addition Chesney is to the Bruins’ offense, Tosh Lupoi is a greater addition to Cal’s defense. For that reason, I believe the Bruins will fall short in what could be the game of the year. 

Score Prediction: 34-31, Loss (0-1)

Sept. 12 vs San Diego State Aztecs

The first win under Chesney doesn’t take long to arrive as the home opener against another fellow California team — the Aztecs — follows in Week 2. 

By no means is this matchup a cakewalk for UCLA, as SDSU could front as real threat. Lucky Sutton is a career five-yard-per-carry running back that could cause the Bruins to stack the box and force quarterback Jayden Denegal to beat them, but that’s how UCLA wins. Denegal is primed for a few turnovers, and against a revamped Blue and Gold secondary, extra possessions will be had for Iamaleava’s offense.

Score Prediction: 27-21, Win (1-1)

Sept. 19 vs Purdue Boilermakers

Coming off a two-win season (seven over three years), it won’t be the Boilermakers who stop the Bruins from winning back-to-back games. Despite efforts to improve its defense in the transfer portal, Purdue has not been a team that will play any spoiler. UCLA will have too much for its fellow Big Ten counterpart to match, leading to its largest win of the year.

This will be a confidence-building game for the entire team, as they find their identity and chemistry in the early part of the season. It’ll also establish enough momentum as they hit their first mini road trip.

Score Prediction: 28-10, Win (2-1)

Sept. 26 at Maryland Terrapins

We got a taste of what this matchup would be last season when UCLA edged Maryland 20-17, and I don’t see any other outcome this year. It’ll still poses as one of the more entertaining games to watch. However, UCLA will have too much for the Terrapins to handle over the course of 60 minutes.

With two quarterbacks settled into their second season with their respective teams, it should line up to be an epic quarterback duel. The odds will lie with the offense that possesses stronger weapons, giving the Bruins their third consecutive win — tying last year’s total.

Score Prediction: 24-20, Win (3-1)

Oct. 10 at Oregon Ducks

Unfortunately for the Bruin Faithful, the streak ends in Eugene. The Ducks have been a powerhouse program for years, dating back to their Pac-12 reign.

The Ducks will have too much in their favor — a top head coach in Dan Lanning, a potential Heisman candidate in former UCLA quarterback Dante Moore and a suffocating defense that screams towards anything that flinches. Not to mention, Oregon is a very difficult atmosphere to play in, let alone win. UCLA heads back to the drawing board after dropping one of its worst losses in 2026.

Score Prediction: 38-17, Loss (3-2)

Oct. 17 vs Wisconsin Badgers

Though a blowout loss ended momentum shortly for Chesney and company, a home visit at the Rose Bowl will spark life back into Westwood with a win over Wisconsin.

Wisconsin is coming off a conference-worst 12.8 points per game, and immediately addressed their quarterback position, bringing in Colton Joseph to lead the pack. I don’t see Joseph making enough of an impact to change the tide, leaving UCLA perfect at home with a comfortable win.

Score Prediction: 30-21, Win (4-2)

Oct. 24 vs Michigan State Spartans

These two met last season, one week after the winless Blue and Gold stunned the nation’s No. 7 team and carried its momentum to blow out the Spartans. Though all signs point to a repeat performance, football is not played on paper, but rather on the gridiron. However, an unexpected loss always creeps up on teams, and I think Michigan State stuns the Bruins’ home crowd.

It’s possible to see this squad loosen their grip a little bit and lay their foot off the gas, and that’s when the Spartans will strike. The tug-of-war season continues for the Bruins, and a humbling loss will format a better outcome next week.

Score Prediction: 20-14, Loss (4-3)

Oct. 31 vs Nevada Wolf Pack

A familiar face will be in town as former Bruin Luke Duncan will be on the opposite sideline. However, he won’t have true threats to his left and right this time around. It’ll be too little, too late as the Bruins coast to their fifth win.

Though the familiarity remains, this will be UCLA’s easiest opponent in 2026. Bob Chesney will continue to feast from these non-conference matchups, inching closer to a .500 record.  The timing of this game will be beneficial as the final four clashes are all against formidable Big Ten teams.

Score Prediction: 38-21, Win (5-3)

Nov. 7 at Minnesota Golden Gophers

The trip up to the chilling North could pose a challenge, but a chance at securing a .500 record will not pass UCLA; it gets the job done in a grueling environment.

For as good as the Gophers were last season, there was not much they improved on over the offseason. They will have the Bruins in an uncomfortable environment, with the weather as their biggest ally. Nonetheless, great teams find ways to win, and sometimes the ugliest wins build the most character. The win total doubles for the Blue and Gold, and the Chesney era is filled with promise. 

Score Prediction: 28-24, Win (6-3)

Nov. 14 vs Illinois Fighting Illini

Unfortunately, the gauntlet for UCLA comes in the final weeks of the season, facing three nine-win teams from a season prior. 

The Fighting Illini might not be the same dominant unit of prior, but they still pack a lot of punch. A quarterback change might hinder some of the output Illinois is used to, but experience will be the ultimate contributor to the final score. The Bruins keep it competitive, but a late-game blunder eventually costs them another tally in the win column. 

Score Prediction: 31-24, Loss (6-4)

Nov. 21 at Michigan Wolverines

The future of college football is entering his second year, and he will be fighting for Heisman votes; Bryce Underwood hands the Bruins a devastating loss. The first half remains close and competitive before the former top-ranked recruit turns it on and makes it a stat-padding day against UCLA.

So far, it’s been highlighted how UCLA has the talent to match up against tougher opponents, but the limit is met with the Michigan Wolverines. To make the task harder, the Big House is not a friendly host, and most leave disappointed.

Score Prediction: 30-13, Loss (6-5)

Nov. 28 vs USC Trojans

One of the most historic rivalries in all of sports comes around once again: UCLA-USC. The battle of Los Angeles continues. The Bruins are hosting their cross-town foe, and a season of glory will crash on a three-game losing skid. Not the way most will hope the season ends for UCLA, but one that will likely occur.

The Trojans’ signal-caller, Jayden Maiava, had a stellar 2025 run and is looking to take his game to another level. The USC quarterback is undefeated against the Blue and Gold and has combined for 478 yards and three touchdowns in two games. Though UCLA is on the rise and will eventually have some success in the Big Ten, big brother adds win No. 53 against Westwood’s own.

Score Prediction: 41-38, Loss (6-6)