MINNEAPOLIS — Take that, you inattentive dolts.
Eat this, you SEC apologists.
Get lost, you power-hungry losers.
With its majestic triumph over Minnesota on Saturday, UCLA delivered the only statement that matters when it comes to the College Football Playoff:
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Nobody will decide the Bruins’ fate except the Bruins.
Oh, the empty suits who make up the CFP selection committee are certainly trying.
Bruins head coach Bob Chesney yells during the first half of UCLA’s 34-20 win over Minnesota on Nov. 7, 2026 in Minneapolis. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
In their initial rankings released last week, those dweebs disrespected unbeaten UCLA by placing it No. 8, behind two-loss Alabama and two-loss Texas.
Say what?
Yes, both the Crimson Tide and Longhorns have faced tougher schedules than the Bruins.
But two losses versus undefeated is … no contest.
Is the committee even watching these games? Do they care about anything except upholding the SEC’s honor?
It’s not like UCLA is some plucky Group of Five upstart vying for respect.
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This is the only remaining unbeaten team in either the Big Ten or the SEC, a big boy who’s being treated like a pipsqueak tied to a light post by neighborhood bullies.
No matter.
The Bruins just keep winning, no matter the challenge or circumstances.
They were tied late against Cal — and won. They didn’t score in the first half against San Diego State — and won. They gave up a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage against Purdue — and won. They played the second half without their starting quarterback at Oregon — and won.
In case that wasn’t enough, their latest triumph should have finally opened the eyes of all those Rip Van Winkles on the selection committee.
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Playing inside a stadium where Minnesota had not dropped a Big Ten game since 2024, the Bruins made themselves at home in the moments that mattered.
Running back Wayne Knight (3) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during UCLA’s road win over Minnesota. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Ty Dieffenbach and Aidan Mizell put a 75-yard touchdown on repeat, the quarterback and wide receiver connecting for that identical outcome on back-to-back offensive plays in the fourth quarter.
UCLA safety Scooter Jackson snuffed out any comeback hopes with an interception and the Bruins were well on their way to their first 9-0 start since 1998 – the last year they won a conference title.
Who doubts them now?
Besides the CFP selection committee, that is.
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The problem with the initial ranking is that it sets a precedent for everything that follows. That means that Alabama and Texas may not drop below the Bruins unless they lose another game.
No. 6 Kentucky’s loss to Tennessee might help UCLA move up a spot … unless the committee allows No. 11 Notre Dame to leapfrog the Bruins after toppling top-ranked Miami.
Linebacker Sammy Omosigho celebrates a defensive stop during UCLA’s road win over Minnesota. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Who knows what these knuckleheads might do?
At the very least, UCLA wants to finish in the top 8 to secure a first-round home game. A top-4 finish would give the Bruins a first-round bye, though teams in those spots have gone just 1-7 in quarterfinal games since the CFP expanded to 12 teams for the 2024 season.
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UCLA coach Bob Chesney smartly told his team to disregard the CFP rankings shows, comparing them to a “four-week drama series.” The first one was more like bad reality TV.
When it came to where his team was initially slotted, Chesney said he had no reaction, though you can bet there’s one that won’t be disclosed publicly.
“No way slighted, no way honored, just totally neutral on whatever they might say,” he said. “We’ve got to win our football games and we did that today.”
Chesney’s message has clearly resonated given what Mizell said a few minutes later when asked about the CFP ranking.
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“There’s no point in even looking at it,” Mizell said. “Our goal is to go undefeated and if we go undefeated … you’ve got to put us at 1, you know what I mean?”
UCLA has additional chances to strengthen its standing with games left against Illinois, Michigan and USC. Win all three and the Bruins will have every right to lay claim to the top spot.
When the new rankings come out Tuesday, there will probably be more nonbelief in the Bruins.
Just remember all that will ultimately matter.
Nobody will decide the Bruins’ fate except the Bruins.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
