The 2005 UCLA Bruins were a very interesting team. They had a top 10 offense and a bottom 10 defense. Leading to a 10-2 season that saw them get to as high as No. 7 in the nation. With Drew Olson becoming a Heisman candidate and Karl Dorrell seemingly turning the corner as a coach. They started the season 8-0 and seemed to be on a crash course to be battle of undefeated teams for the Victory Bell. UCLA would lose to Arizona 52-14. So, UCLA would be 9-1 against No. 1 11-0 USC.
#7 UCLA vs Arizona (2005) pic.twitter.com/tdA05GJBJN
— College Football Classics (@ClassicsCFB) July 30, 2024
USC would easily win against UCLA 66-19 showing that UCLA was still not on USC’s level. But it was still a season to remember nonetheless as UCLA was not projected to go 10-2 and win a bowl game. The offense was as tremendous on the season as they averaged 39.1 points per game which was good for 5th in the nation. But the defense gave up 34.2 points per game which was 9th most in the nation. A lot of games were shootouts on the season.
One of those games was the thrilling win against Washington State that they were down 28-7. Coming back to win 44-41. They were known as slow starters in games and then turning it on in the 2nd half. Drew Olson finished the season with 34 touchdown passes, compared to only 6 interceptions. He had 33 total touchdowns in three years combined up until that season.
#8 UCLA vs Stanford (2005) pic.twitter.com/Ke9tAYDn67
— College Football Classics (@ClassicsCFB) May 3, 2024
This would be the best team that Karl Dorrell would put together in his tenure at UCLA. Outside of that season, he would win six games, most seasons. With one season of seven wins in 2006. It was a magical season and who knows how good UCLA would have been if their defense was as good as the offense. Even the defense the next year plugged into 2005 probably has them at 10-0 heading into the USC game and probably not a 66-19 result.