UCLA vs.
UCLA · Minnesota · MiamiUCLA vs. Minnesota Results in the Bruins Buoying Their Big Ten Challenge, Banging on the CFP Door. What Are the Chances of UCLA Making the College Football Playoff?
Just as important for a team chasing a conference crown, their odds of reaching the Big Ten Championship Game climbed from 55.4% to 62.7%, as the Bruins now sit alone atop the league and control their own destiny. For Minnesota, however, the 31-20 defeat was one more blow to a postseason picture that had already slipped away.
P.J. Fleck's Gophers fall to 5-4, and with a résumé already dented by three earlier losses, including a recent loss to Indiana, their at-large playoff hopes are effectively finished. At least yet another bowl-eligible season appears right around the corner.
DIVE IN: PFN's Free CFB HQ — Team and Player Stats, Info, and More The bigger story is what's happening in Westwood.
KEY POINTS
- With yet another win, the UCLA Bruins are now one of just three teams (along with the Miami Hurricanes and Utah Utes) that remain undefeated in the 2026 season, improving to 9-0.
- Naturally, their path to the College Football Playoff is looking more real by the week, but what about their Week 11 opponent, the Minnesota Golden Gophers?
- A year after a 3–9 campaign, Bob Chesney's first season has UCLA off to its best start since 2005 (the year YouTube launched), fueled by one of the top-10 defenses in the country in scoring defense, takeaways, and turnover margin.
- With three games remaining and postseason football nearly here, UCLA will look to tighten the screws, specifically on offense, despite the unit being in senior Ty Dieffenbach's hands following Week 1 starter Nico Iamaleava's season-ending injury.