DeShaun Foster’s first season as the UCLA Bruins head coach was about establishing culture and adjusting to the toughness of the Big Ten. Year two is about proving the Bruins belong.
Foster’s brought in key reinforcements through recruiting and the transfer portal, and the offense now runs through former five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava, whose arm talent could unlock a more explosive passing attack.
The schedule? It’s no easy task. Between cross-country flights, hostile stadiums, and a mix of national contenders and tricky mid-tier opponents, UCLA will have to navigate one of the toughest slates in the conference.
Here’s how the UCLA Bruins’ 2025 opponents stack up, combining travel demands, location, and how good each team is expected to be this upcoming season.
Ranking The UCLA Bruins’ 2025 Opponents
1. Ohio State (Away)
A November trip to the Horseshoe is the definition of a measuring stick. The Buckeyes are loaded on both sides, ranked among the top teams nationally, and have the kind of defensive front that can make even Iamaleava look human.
Add in 100,000 fans in freezing weather, and this is the toughest game on the schedule.
2. Penn State (Home)
Hosting the Nittany Lions is a better draw than playing them in Happy Valley, but this is still a top-10 opponent with a playoff-ready roster.
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Drew Allar is a future first-rounder, their defense is physical, their run game travels, and they’ll force UCLA to win in the trenches.
3. Utah (Home)
Utah has long been one of the most disciplined and physical teams in the country. They don’t beat themselves, they control tempo, and they’ve proven they can win in any environment.
This early-season test will show whether UCLA’s offseason upgrades can hold up.
4. Washington (Home)
The Huskies lost some star power but remain dangerous. A high-upside passing attack and a sneaky-good defense make them a legitimate upset threat in Pasadena.
5. Michigan State (Away)
East Lansing in October is never an easy ask. The Spartans aren’t in Ohio State’s class, but their physical style and defensive depth can turn this into a slog, especially with Midwest weather in play.
6. Nebraska (Home)
Matt Rhule’s rebuild is starting to take shape. Dylan Raiola had a great foundation last year and is only going to improve.
Nebraska’s power run game could test UCLA’s front seven, but having this one at the Rose Bowl tilts it in the Bruins’ favor.
7. USC (Away)
USC is retooling, but the Trojans always play with emotion in this game. Iamaleava will get his first taste of the rivalry from under center, and the stakes will be high regardless of the records and teams.
8. Maryland (Home)
Maryland can put up points, but they’ve struggled defensively against physical teams. The long trip west could make this one a chance for UCLA to flex its depth.
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9. Indiana (Away)
The only real concern here is the road setting and an early kickoff.
10. UNLV (Away)
UNLV is a solid Mountain West program with a rising profile, but UCLA’s talent advantage is significant. This is a short trip that could feel like a home game for the Bruins.
11. Northwestern (Away)
Northwestern is in full rebuild mode. UCLA just needs to avoid turnovers and slow starts in a sleepy road atmosphere.
12. New Mexico (Home)
The Lobos are heavily overmatched. Expect plenty of young Bruins to get reps in the second half.
Bottom Line
The top four – Ohio State, Penn State, Utah, and Washington are where UCLA’s season will be defined. Steal one of those, take care of business at home, and win the 50-50 road games, and Foster’s second year could put the Bruins firmly in the Big Ten conversation.
With Iamaleava at quarterback and an upgraded roster around him, the pieces are in place. Now it’s about surviving the gauntlet and proving they can punch with the conference’s heavyweights.
Thoughts? Comment below!