UCLA's 9-0 Rise: A College Football Playoff Threat?

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Outspoken With Dan Sileo

UCLA’s Undefeated Run Earns Respect, but Playoff Questions Remain

UCLA continues to exceed expectations. The team is 9-0 overall and 9-0 against the spread, making it the only team in the country to accomplish that feat. Although there are concerns in areas such as red-zone performance, UCLA runs the ball extremely well, plays strong defense and generates plenty of takeaways.

Despite that success, UCLA is not yet viewed as a top-five team capable of winning it all. However, the team deserves its current standing after outperforming expectations throughout the season.

UCLA’s turnaround is also considered more remarkable than the job being done at Kentucky. Kentucky experienced some big seasons under Mark Stoops, regularly reached bowl games, occasionally beat Florida and won 10 games not long ago. UCLA, meanwhile, had largely been forgotten.

Attendance remains a problem, and it is difficult for UCLA to gain attention in a city like Los Angeles, where so much is happening. The team has not beaten any great opponents yet, but its undefeated record and renewed relevance make the first-year turnaround remarkable.