UCLA's Most Important 3-Game Stretch Looms

On today's episode of the UCLA Bruins Insider Podcast, we talk about just how important UCLA's next three games are to the trajectory of the season.

To watch today's episode, view below:

It probably couldn't have started any worse for the UCLA Bruins after dropping their season opener 43-10 to the Utah Utes, but what if I told you there's still a path out of this deep Week 1 hole?

Perhaps optimists were overrating UCLA. Maybe DeShaun Foster and his coaching staff pulled off one of the best marketing summers in college football. Or Utah is just that good a team. Whatever you want to rest your laurels on, it's evident that these Bruins didn't meet the levels of hype they created in the offseason.

Aug 30, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster watches game action against the Utah Utes during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

“We just played a good team. That was it," Foster said after the game. "We played a good team that came out and played their style of play. I won’t take anything away from them. They were able to execute and do what they wanted to do out there on the field. We’ve just got to come back in, regroup and really just grade yourself and be hard on yourself. This isn’t going to be easy. You can’t just go in there and point the finger at other people. You’ve got to see ‘What did I do to help this team?’”

If there's one thing we learned from Foster and his Bruins last season, it's that they won't just give up when things go south. In his first season last year, Foster led UCLA to a Week 1 win, and then wound up losing his next five games. Did they just give up? No. In fact, he never lost the locker room, and the Bruins finished the season winning four of their last six games.

Looking Forward

Aug 30, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster watches game action against the Utah Utes during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Which is UCLA's next three games presents the best opportunity to do just that -- bounce back. The Bruins enter as favorites in Week 2 against UNLV (2-0), despite the shellacking they endured on Saturday.

Following the matchup with Dan Mullen's Rebels, you have a favorable clash against New Mexico at home. Now, the Lobos did put up a fight against the No. 14 Michigan Wolverines, meaning this Week 3 matchup might not be as easy as we thought going into the season. Nonetheless, UCLA has the edge.

UCL — Aug 30, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; New Mexico Lobos running back Scottre Humphrey (22) rushes in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

And then, before taking on Penn State in Week 6, the Bruins open Big Ten conference play against Northwestern, a team they were projected to be better than entering the season.

This next three-game stretch is integral to how the season will unfold. Should UCLA win all three, this Week 1 blunder maybe be easier to look back on.

Make sure to bookmark UCLA Bruins On SI to get all your daily UCLA Bruins news, analysis and more!

Read more on UCLA football and their momentous second season in the Big Ten and under DeShaun Foster here. While you're here, check out all things UCLA basketball and Mick Cronin improving the Bruins through the transfer portal here.

Ensure you follow on X (Twitter) @UCLAInsideronSI and @cmorenoNBA to keep up with every story surrounding UCLA athletics!

Please let us know your thoughts on this when you like our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.

To watch today's episode, view below:

Looking Forward

UCLA Bruins Latest News