AP Top 25 Shakeup: UCLA Opponents Rise and Fall

Believe it or not, UCLA's remaining schedule got even stronger than it was last week.

Oct 5, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Coziah Izzard (99) and safety Jaylen Reed (1) stop UCLA Bruins running back Jalen Berger (0) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Believe it or not, the UCLA Bruins' (0-4, 0-1 Big Ten) remaining schedule just got a lot more daunting than it was entering Week 5 of the college football season.

The Bruins entered the week with four opponents in AP's Top 25, and although one fell out of the rankings with a loss, UCLA has to look forward to three top 10 opponents on the horizon.

With that being said, let's take a look at where UCLA's remaining opponents rank in the updated AP Top 25 College Football Poll.

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1. Ohio State Buckeyes (No Change)

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 Buckeyes are showing no sign of slowing down, matching up against Minnesota this week before taking on No. 22 Illinois afterwards.

Ohio State Buckeyes running back Bo Jackson (25) runs over Washington Huskies linebacker Xe'ree Alexander (10) and defensive lineman Bryce Butler (92) during the NCAA football game at Husky Stadium in Seattle on Sept. 27, 2025. Ohio State won 24-6. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

7. Penn State Nittany Lions (Down 4)

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.

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar throws a pass as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

8. Indiana Hoosiers (Up 3)

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.

Sep 27, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Louis Moore (7) reacts late in the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Others Receiving Votes

31. USC Trojans (22 Votes)

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.

Sep 27, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) scrambles with the ball during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

32. Maryland Terrapins (7 Votes)

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.

Sep 20, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Kaleb Webb (84) celebrates after earning a first down during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

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