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Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball against the UCLA Bruins in the first half of the NCAA college football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

UCLA’s Tough Top-25 Slate Isn’t Done Yet

Originally posted on UCLA Bruins on SI | By Connor Moreno | Last updated Nov 17, 2025 8:00 AM ET

Week 12 of the college football season marked a third consecutive loss for the UCLA Bruins (3-7, 3-4 Big Ten), a 48-10 blowout at the hands of the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, the Bruins' second blowout of the losing streak.

Regardless of the season behind them and the prospect of reaching a bowl game officially out of reach -- although UCLA had a 0.1% chance going into Saturday -- Tim Skipper and his squad are going to compete with whoever is in front of them.

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Unfortunately it's not going to get any easier for the lowly Bruins. UCLA already took on the No. 1 and 2 teams in the nation during this gauntlet of a back-half of the schedule, and they still have to take on two opponents who are coming off some momentous wins, one of which got a crosstown rival closer to College Football Playoff contention.

With that being said, let's go through the updated AP Top 25 and see where the Bruins' remaining opponents landed after a big Week 11.

17. USC Trojans

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

One of the biggest wins of the college football week, UCLA's crosstown rival kept is College Football Playoff hopes alive. The Trojans came out of a gritty ranked matchup against No. 21 Iowa with a 26-21 win by scoring the final 19 points of the game.

USC's Makai Lemon had a tremendous game, finishing with 10 receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown. The Trojans can't rest up just yet, they have their fifth ranked matchup of the season against No. 8 Oregon this week, a game with massive Big Ten and CFP implications and surely one of the biggest games of the weekend.

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The win moved the Trojans up one spot on the updated AP poll to No. 16 in the nation. UCLA finished the season against Southern California in the Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 29. Who knows who will be suiting up for the Bruins in that matchup, so ESPN Analytics gives UCLA just a 5.9% chance to win the game.

One small inkling of hope for UCLA fans? The two rivals have split each of the last four matchups and the away team came out on top every time. What better way to end the Tim Skipper, Rose Bowl and (potentially) Nico Iamaleava era than a huge win over one of the nation's best?

Others Receiving Votes

36. Washington Huskies (8 votes)

Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Coming off a disappointing 13-10 upset loss to Wisconsin in Week 11, the Huskies responded by dominating the lowly Purdue Boilermakers, 49-13. Washington running back Adam Mohammed scored a career-high three rushing touchdowns en route to the victory.

Washington was ranked 23rd on the CFP Top 25 before faltering to the Badgers last week. The win over Purdue put voters back on notice in this week's AP Top 25, as the Huskies received eight votes. They aren't exactly another ranked opponent on UCLA's daunting second half of season, but they are pretty close to it.

The Bruins host Washington in their final home game of the season (and potentially in the Rose Bowl ever) this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. PT on NBC. Unsure of Nico Iamaleava's status ahead of the game after missing the Ohio State loss with a concussion, ESPN Analytics gives the Bruins a 20.7% chance of winning the clash, which is one of the better chances they've had in a game this year.