The Big Ten’s surprise team of 2026 has already been decided

There’s currently a team in the Big Ten that has the ability to shock many people with how they perform in 2026. UCLA has been an embarrassment since joining the Big Ten, going 8-16 in their first two seasons in the conference. In 2025 head coach DeShaun Foster was fired three games in after an 0-3 start. In early December, the Bruins hired Bob Chesney from James Madison University, which has given the program optimism heading into 2026. 

This whole situation seems slightly familiar. Chesney arrived at UCLA in just about the exact same way Curt Cignetti arrived at Indiana, coming from JMU with a record of winning and a culture building identity. Chesney went 21-6 in two seasons at JMU, including a College Football Playoff appearance. Cignetti also came from JMU to Indiana and turned the worst program in college football into national champions in just two years. 

Just like Cignetti, Chesney didn’t come alone. Ten players followed him from JMU to UCLA, instantly giving the Bruins a core group that already knows his system and his standards. Chesney himself explained just how important that was because those guys have a slight advantage than any other players from the start. 

Transfers are critical to UCLA's rebuild

The JMU transfers are the real backbone of this rebuild. The most important players that followed were Wayne Knight (RB) and Sahir West (EDGE). Knight is a massive upgrade for the Bruins backfield because in 2025 QB Nico Iamaleava was the 2025 leading rusher with 505 yards. UCLA also brought in 41 total transfers, they were ranked No. 11 nationally and No. 2 in the Big Ten by On3, including Oklahoma LB Sammy Omosigho and Florida WR Aiden Mizell.  

While the JMU transfers are the backbone, the most important piece will be quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Iamaleava looked like a star in 2024 at Tennessee but then after transferring due to a complicated situation that involved money, he ended up at UCLA where he took a massive step back. Now the step back wasn’t all his fault, in 2025 he was playing behind a bad offensive line with no run game and went through three different coaching staffs in one season. But now he has a real coach, a proven 1,300-yard rusher with Wayne Knight and new receivers to work with. OC Dean Kennedy has already praised Iamaleava’s preparation in spring ball and said that the sky’s the limit for him and the rest of the quarterback room. 

The ceiling for the Bruins in 2026 is that they look a lot like USC did in 2025. This would mean a team with enough talent and momentum to be ranked in the Top 25 and make noise within the Big Ten, but not quite ready to break into the College Football Playoff. USC was exciting last season, ranked at some points during the year and a good team in the Big Ten, but the jump to CFP was one step too far. 

UCLA’s schedule also helps. They open with winnable non-conference games before facing Big Ten opponents. Also, nine of their games are in the Pacific time zone which gets rid of travel disadvantages. Their biggest tests of the season are clearly Oregon and Michigan, both on the road.

Don’t expect a playoff or national title run, but don’t be shocked when they make a bowl game (which would be the first since joining the Big Ten), and become a team that surprises a few people along the way.