Let's first look at where UCLA is picked in the preseason polls and, in particular, the Big Ten preseason predictions.
USA Today has UCLA ranked 14th in their B1G preseason poll, ahead of Michigan State and just below Rutgers in their rankings.
ESPN has a very similar prediction as the USA Today preseaon rankings but ESPN has UCLA ranked 51 out of the 136 FBS teams.
In the annual and 15th Big Ten media preseason predictions, Cleveland.com has UCLA ranked 15th out of 18 teams in their preseason conference rankings.
Here is where UCLA is ranked among the other 135 FBS teams heading into the 2025 season.
Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY has UCLA ranked 59th out of the 136 FBS teams in his 2025 college football preseason rankings. He does have UCLA ranked 13th in his Big Ten preseason rankings.
Phil Steele in his well-known and long time college football magazine has UCLA ranked 52nd nationally.
The College Football News has UCLA ranked 53rd nationally, and they predict the offense will be better with new transfers at quarterback and running back.
Athlon Sports has UCLA ranked the lowest at 62nd out of the 136 FBS teams heading into the 2025 college football season.
The hope and even expectation is that UCLA exceeds these low preseason predictions. Making a bowl game, finishing in the top ten of the Big Ten standings, and being competitive against ranked teams is what Bruin fans want at minimum. The UCLA offense should be much improved and even if the defense takes a step back this season, as long as it remains solid, winning eight games is not beyond the realm of possibility.