UCLA football is back … in the national rankings.
For the first time since midway through the 2023 season, the Bruins found themselves in the Associated Press poll released Sunday.
UCLA checked in at No. 23 in both the AP and AFCA Coaches polls after its 54-3 dismantling of Maryland on Saturday. The Bruins (4-0) are off to their best start since going 6-0 in 2022 before a road loss to Oregon.
Next up for UCLA?
A road game against the No. 15 Ducks, who are coming off an emotionally charged 41-27 victory over USC in which they lost quarterback Dante Moore to a head injury before halftime. The Bruins and Ducks (3-1) are both off this week before meeting on Oct. 10 at Autzen Stadium.
The showdown will be a rematch of sorts after Oregon beat James Madison and coach Bob Chesney last December in the College Football Playoff. That was Chesney’s final game with the Dukes before taking the UCLA job and bringing 11 transfers with him.
Meanwhile, USC (4-1) fell six spots to No. 18 in both polls after its first loss of the season. The Trojans will face Washington (3-1) on Saturday at the Coliseum after the Huskies suffered a 27-24 setback against Minnesota that kept them out of the rankings.
USC will be without starting linebacker Desman Stephens II against Washington after he was suspended Sunday for one game for knocking Moore out of the game and celebrating afterward.
Huskies coach Jedd Fisch has had some recent success against the Trojans, beating them during his first season with Washington in 2024.
