On3 Sports released its “2024 post-spring, post-portal Big Ten Power Rankings,” and UCLA football lands 15th in the 18-school conference. Just ahead of them are Illinois, Maryland, and Northwestern. The Bruins bear out Minnesota, Purdue, and Indiana. They are the lowest-ranked of the new PAC-12 additions with Washington coming in ninth, USC seventh, and Oregon second.
On3’s complete Big 10 Power Rankings:
UCLA Football Ranks 7th in Latest Power Rankings
On3’s reasoning is as follows:
“The Bruins look to be in store for a long 2024 season. New conference. First-year head coach. Major staff changes. Star defensive players either off to the NFL or transferring to conference foes. It’s been a rough six months. DeShaun Foster hired an intriguing staff with longtime NFL OC Eric Bieniemy and Ikaika Malloe taking over the defense, but the roster is in rough shape after seeing likely starters like Kamari Ramsey, John Humphrey, Kyle Ford and others transfer out of the program.”
Bruins Expert Adds Context
The sentiment isn’t without merit. The host of the Bruin Bible Podcast, Will Decker framed the low ranking relative to what DeShaun Foster is building, not necessarily contingent on how their first season under his leadership will play out.
