Coach Bob Chesney has officially led the UCLA Bruins back into the College Football Playoff conversation.

The Bruins ranked eighth in the initial CFP rankings for the 2026 season.

It ties the Bruins’ highest placement in the CFP rankings from 2014. UCLA was ranked as high as eighth, following a 38-20 victory over rival USC during Week 13 of that season. UCLA finished out the season with a 31-10 loss to Stanford and dropped down four spots in the rankings as a result. The Bruins were 14th in the season’s final ranking.

This season, the Bruins are off to their best start since 2005, having remained undefeated with an 8-0 record, including five against Big Ten Conference opponents.

UCLA could conclude an undefeated season with a victory over USC on Nov. 28 to further cement its status as a CFP national championship contender. Before the Bruins can even get to that point, however, they must get wins against Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan.

Chesney’s Bruins are just one of three undefeated FBS teams remaining this season. The Miami Hurricanes and the Utah Utes are the other two undefeated teams.

UCLA is ranked No. 5 in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll, which was released on Sunday, Nov. 1. It is the highest ranking for the Bruins since the 2014 preseason poll, not including the progress made this season.

Bob Chesney of the UCLA Bruins leads his UCLA Bruins team to the field before their game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on October 10, 2026, in Eugene, Oregon.

First CFP rankings top 25

  1. Miami (8-0)
  2. Georgia (7-1)
  3. Utah (8-0)
  4. Indiana (8-1)
  5. Alabama (6-2)
  6. Kentucky (7-1)
  7. Texas (6-2)
  8. UCLA (8-0)
  9. Brigham Young (7-1)
  10. Mississippi (6-2)
  11. Notre Dame (7-1)
  12. Ohio State (6-2)
  13. Tennessee (6-2)
  14. LSU (6-2)
  15. Texas Tech (7-1)
  16. Wake Forest (7-1)
  17. Houston (6-2)
  18. Missouri (6-2)
  19. Iowa (6-2)
  20. Southern California (7-2)
  21. South Carolina (5-3)
  22. Arizona (6-2)
  23. Oregon (5-3)
  24. Florida (5-3)
  25. Boise State (7-1)

More: First CFP rankings deliver surprises and clues for chaotic playoff race

When are CFP rankings released?

The College Football Playoff top 25 will be revealed on Tuesday evenings in November and December. The CFP selection committee unveils its rankings live on ESPN.

CFP rankings release schedule

The final regular season rankings will happen during the first week of December. The Selection Sunday show and the final CFP bracket will be revealed on Dec. 6.

  • Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 9 p.m. ET
  • Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 9 p.m. ET
  • Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. ET
  • Sunday, Dec. 6 at Noon ET

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is UCLA football in the College Football Playoff rankings?

Source: Yahoo Sports