After struggling to beat the UNLV Rebels, the UCLA Football team did not re-enter the AP Top 25 and actually lost ground with voters.
The UCLA Football team has been going through some changes. Because of that, they are not living up to their expectations this season.
Related Story: Bruins Struggle Against UNLV
In the preseason AP Poll, UCLA was ranked #16, which was in start contrast to the USA Today Coaches Poll which had the Bruins at #24, which seems more accurate now.
After the Bruin’s season opening loss to Texas A&M, UCLA fell out of the Top 25, but just barely. The Bruins were two spots out of the poll, collecting 62 total votes.
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After their unimpressive 42-21 victory over UNLV, an average Mountain West team, UCLA lost ground with AP voters. In the third week of the poll, UCLA is now four spots outside the Top 25, receiving only 47 votes.
It is actually not that big of a surprise. Though UCLA came out strong, scoring on their first four drives behind three rushing touchdowns by Soso Jamabo, the Bruins stalled in the second half and looked uninspired.
It also did not help that the defense allowed the UNLV offense several opportunities, which included Rebel running back Lexingiton Thomas to run for 5.9 yards per carry.
Things do not get easier for the Bruins going forward as they have two tough games in the next two weeks. Next Saturday, UCLA travels to Provo, Utah to take on the BYU Cougars and have the Stanford Cardinal come to town the week after.
Next: UCLA Football: The Defense Makes Average Offenses Look Great
For those that do not know, UCLA has not beaten Stanford in eight tries.