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Where UCLA's Opponents Rank in Updated ESPN FPI
Sep 14, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Justice Ellison (6) carries the ball against UCLA Bruins linebacker Kain Medrano (20) in the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The UCLA Bruins (0-4, 0-1 Big Ten) are looking at a winless season right in the face after suffering their fourth-straight loss of the season to Northwestern on Saturday.

The Wildcats were perhaps UCLA's last chance at getting a win the rest of the season. With a daunting remaining Big Ten schedule ahead, UCLA is the 90th-ranked team in the nation on ESPN's updated FPI, which is good for last in the conference.

With that being said, let's take a look at where the Bruins' remaining opponents rank on ESPN's FPI.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes (23.5 FPI Rating)

The top team in the nation remains undefeated after Ohio State took down Washington, 24-6, to open up its Big Ten conference play. The Bukeyes are showing no sign of slowing down, matching up against Minnesota this week before taking on No. 22 Illinois afterwards.

5. Indiana Hoosiers (21.1 FPI Rating)

The Indiana Hoosiers keep rising as one of the nation's best teams, narrowly defeating Iowa and rising from No. 11 to No. 8 in the country. The Bruins now have three remaining opponents in the top 10 of AP's updated Top 25 college football polls.

10. USC Trojans (18.7 FPI Rating)

A potential bright side of Week 5 for UCLA? The Trojans lost and were kicked out of the Top 25. In a No. 21 vs. No. 23 matchup against Illinois, USC lost 34-32 on a game-winning field goal. Surely, the Trojans will recover from this loss and may even be ranked again at the end of the season when they clash with the Bruins.

11. Penn State Nittany Lions (18.3 FPI Rating)

The Nittany Lions were outmatched against their first ranked opponent, dropping 30-24 in overtime to the No. 6-ranked Oregon Ducks. The loss pushed Penn State down from No. 3 in the nation to No. 7. Nonetheless, the Bruins will still have their hands full in the Rose Bowl.

21. Nebraska Cornhuskers (14.1 FPI Rating)

Nebraska had a bye this week but is coming off a loss to Michigan, who was ranked 21st going into the game. The Cornhuskers take on the Bruins later in the season, but they take on Michigan State this week.

26. Washington Huskies (11.0 FPI Rating)

The Huskies opened up conference play against No. 1-ranked Ohio State and were bested 24-6. It's a bit of a reach, but Washington is one of UCLA's easiest remaining opponents, but is still given an 86.5% chance to defeat the Bruins when they match up in Week 13.

47. Maryland Terrapins (5.0 FPI Rating)

The Terrapins had a bye this week, but were one of the biggest stories of last weekend, opening up conference play with a dominant 27-10 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers. The Terrapins entered the season below the Bruins in many Big Ten power rankings, but an undefeated nonconference slate followed up by last week's win marks yet another projected UCLA loss in Week 8.

63. Michigan State Spartans (1.9 FPI Rating)

Michigan State had a bye in Week 4. The week prior, the Spartans were handled by No. 25-ranked USC, 45-31. The Bruins go on the road in East Lansing to take on MSU at 9 a.m. PT, yet another traveling obstacle UCLA has to tackle.

This article first appeared on UCLA Bruins on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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