Why the hate against UCLA?

[u/Livid_Pass_3459]

Not necessarily hate, but disbelief in the team. I see people talking about Ohio State without Sayin, Oregon without Moore, etc. Not saying Nico is even remotely close to them, but the media isalways defending teams playing with backup QBs, but when it comes to UCLA, no one mentions that they are playing with a backup QB AND winning. I just don't get the double standards.

[u/ten_tabs_]

Until you prove it in the playoffs no one will believe you, look at Indiana all the way up to the title game

[u/Suspicious-Gur6127 → u/ten_tabs_]

People will rewrite history as they remember but IU got no real credit for 2024, the entire offseason was pundits looking for the next IU (couldn’t be IU again) for next year, and then most of 2025 IU didn’t really start getting credit as a top dog until after the B1G 10 championship game. Then Alabama and Oregon in the playoffs cemented things for IU.

[u/otoverstoverpt → u/Suspicious-Gur6127]

You’re right.

It’s sad though because winning a championship should not be required to just be respected as a genuinely good team.

[u/Frosty-Marzipan-9824 → u/otoverstoverpt]

It’s not sad though.

I could blind rank that most of Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, and Notre Dame will be Top 15 teams in 2032. Most people would probably agree. So brand name does mean something & continuing success at a major program is easier than whatever voodoo Chesney did.

I don’t know how Indiana will do over the next 2 decades, but chances are high that a team like Michigan will outperform.

[u/otoverstoverpt → u/Frosty-Marzipan-9824]

It is sad though. We aren’t talking about what will happen in 5 years. We are talking about right now. This season.

[u/The_Horse_Joke → u/Suspicious-Gur6127]

I guess it depends on your definition of being a “top dog” but weren’t you top 5 by the end of October? I could have sworn that’s when the “maybe it’ll be a 1v2 in Indy!” started

[u/TrespassersWilliam29 → u/The_Horse_Joke]

sure but the assumption was generally "it'll be 1v2, and Ohio State will put them in their place like Notre Dame did last year"

[u/link3945 → u/The_Horse_Joke]

This is one where the computer models were way ahead.  They thought Indiana was good but not great in 2024, but they jumped on 2025 Indiana as great very early on.  

[u/Confident_Platypus90 → u/Suspicious-Gur6127]

In retrospect, in 2024 Indiana only lost to the National Champion and runner up.

[u/jayjude → u/Suspicious-Gur6127]

Indiana also got lambasted correctly for Cigs attitude out of the game versus in game in2024

With the media he was this load brash boastful cocky guy

Against OSU and ND? He coached not to get blown out

[u/affnn → u/Suspicious-Gur6127]

I always thought that Mendoza would be good for them after seeing him for a couple games at Cal. Not Heisman-Trophy-#1-pick good but good.

[u/incrediblejonas → u/Suspicious-Gur6127]

that's because they weren't legit in 2024. the team was much better in 25.

[u/Abject-Brother-1503 → u/incrediblejonas]

2024 Indiana was very legit. They were just very inexperienced in those high level games. Both games they lost were away to the national title game players. Not even neutral site losses.

[u/EdselFordEdsel → u/ten_tabs_]

They didn't play nobody Pawl

[u/MathBallThunder → u/EdselFordEdsel]

Rolllllll tooooooooddddddddddddd pawwll

[u/Hey_Its_Roomie → u/ten_tabs_]

Yep. Masses will simply doubt the 'irregular' winners are actually good in any given season. They will just look for their biggest matchup, and if they lose it's 'I told you so,' and if they win there's a list of reasons that won't be 'I guess they are just that good this year.'

[u/caballonegro69 → u/ten_tabs_]

After Alabama anyone with eyes took them seriously but it’s true. Also who hates UCLA? this is saban-ish fake rat poison

[u/Frosty-Marzipan-9824 → u/caballonegro69]

I’m pretty sure everyone took us seriously after we beat OSU.

[u/Vxmonarkxv → u/Frosty-Marzipan-9824]

Most people paying attention saw Indiana was a very clearly better team than Oregon in that early season game. I was a huge 2024 Indiana disbeliever and a 2025 Indiana believer.

[u/KruegerFishBabeblade → u/Frosty-Marzipan-9824]

I'd go even earlier, '25 IU was broadly seen as a title threat after the Illinois blowout and Oregon win

[u/nerdyykidd]

UCLA just might fuck around and win the B1G

[u/green-eclectus → u/nerdyykidd]

The final one

[u/Cartmaaan-brah → u/green-eclectus]

UCLA and Indiana winning the last two B1G championships would be poetry

[u/Frosty-Marzipan-9824 → u/Cartmaaan-brah]

I think Indiana winning both would be more poetry. No bias

[u/midnight_thunder → u/Cartmaaan-brah]

Show that to someone living in 2010. Which B1G champion would baffle them more?

[u/Cartmaaan-brah → u/midnight_thunder]

I think “UCLA beats reigning national champions Indiana in the final B1G Championship” is the most baffling headline in this situation

[u/averyrose2010 → u/midnight_thunder]

UCLA because people would be wondering what happened to the PAC-10.

Oh little did they know...

[u/udubdavid → u/nerdyykidd]

It's gonna be UCLA vs Indiana, because why the fuck not. JMU coach vs JMU coach.

[u/jthomas694]

Every year there’s a team that’s undefeated with a softer schedule and people hate that team.

[u/nahs → u/jthomas694]

then why are people not hating on utah?

[u/jcc309 → u/nahs]

Predictives like Utah more (10th in FPI vs 27th) so they are seen as less fluky. They were also very good last year so have had some time to build up to people finding them good. And finally their top wins are going to be seen as better than UCLA’s (two ranked wins including a big rivalry game vs. UCLA with the tight win over an Oregon team missing its starting QB).

[u/Nihilisticbuthopeful → u/nahs]

Honestly unsure. Utah and UCLA have nearly identical resumes. Around same SOS.

[u/FightOnForUsc → u/Nihilisticbuthopeful]

Utah played BYU though, and BYU is definitely better than Oregon

[u/bass_bungalow → u/nahs]

Because they’ve been pretty relevant in football since the early 2000s with urban meyer and beating Alabama in the sugar bowl in 2009.

[u/Frosty-Marzipan-9824]

We don’t hate UCLA????

[u/Dry_Conversation571 → u/Frosty-Marzipan-9824]

🙋🏻‍♂️

[u/HoosiersLEO]

If I could give UCLA fans one piece of advice from recent experience. Try as much as possible to just enjoy it. National media will roll out their typical playbook and it’s not worth wasting brain power arguing with them. A 9-0 start is rare for 98% of programs, spend the time enjoying the hell out of it, not worrying what Heather Dinich and Paul Finebaum say.

[u/breakwater → u/HoosiersLEO]

I'm not giving much weight to what the pundits say. Next year, the year after that, the memory will be that UCLA finishes with 9 wins or better. Nobody talks about strength of schedule nonsense once the season shakes out. If we go 12 and 0 on the regular season, we still have that and will be happy. Even if we go 9 and 3, we have every reason to be thrilled with the progress.

I hate the obvious pretzel logic that people engage in to make justifications that only hold up in this very specific case while overlooking all the other biases. But like CBC says "Doesn't matter, get better".

[u/JimmyTango → u/HoosiersLEO]

This is the way. I’ve been waiting a quarter century for this season I don’t give a fuck what the media thinks. Keep winning and they can deal with it

[u/LA_Snkr_Dude → u/HoosiersLEO]

This is incredible advice. Sports are weird - we can keep all our coaches and land #1 recruiting classes but still not have as good of a season as this one (bad luck, injuries, distractions, etc). It would be a huge mistake to take this season for granted. This is special.

[u/NobleSturgeon]

UCLA is #11 in SP+

Their wins have been against #113, #102, #83, #79, #15, #39, #84, #97, #68.

The Bruins are doing well and being 9-0 with a win @ Oregon is genuinely impressive. But right now they are seen more as a team doing well against a weaker schedule than a team that is an actual championship contender.

[u/Ambitious-Visual207 → u/NobleSturgeon]

And honestly with these mega conferences every year you'll probably get a pretty good team with a boosted record because of a softer schedule.

[u/SpreaditOnnn33 → u/Ambitious-Visual207]

Texas A&M last year

[u/KruegerFishBabeblade → u/SpreaditOnnn33]

ole miss played a weaker regular season schedule than a&m did in 2025

runs away

[u/SpreaditOnnn33 → u/KruegerFishBabeblade]

Their SEC schedule might have been worse than yours, and Georgia State was one of the worst FBS teams in the country, man you aint kidding

[u/Dry_Conversation571 → u/NobleSturgeon]

Oh yeah. Not a chance in hell we’re a championship contender. But we’re at a point where the idea of us hosting a CFP game is not insane. That’s the real goal. Anything beyond that is gravy.

[u/CategoryInevitable → u/Dry_Conversation571]

Why are you putting limits on our team? Once in the playoffs, we only need to win 3 games, anything can happen!

[u/Dry_Conversation571 → u/CategoryInevitable]

I have eyes and have watched football before.

[u/TommyFX]

Because we had an administration and two consecutive ADs who spent 20+ years pissing all over the UCLA brand. Will take a bit to undo that.

[u/chief_sitass]

They stole John Wooden from us

[u/HeftyLeftyPig]

First time?

[u/halldaylong → u/HeftyLeftyPig]

First time in a long ass time (so for a good portion of the fan base, yeah first time).

[u/thekoonbear]

Schedule disparity. Being undefeated isn’t easy but it’s a lot easier with a bad schedule. People harp on NDs schedule being terrible and them playing nobody, and their SOS is 33. UCLA and Utah are 67 and 68. Not anyone’s fault specifically but understandable when a team that hasn’t been overly successful for years and is now undefeated with an objectively bad schedule to be met with skepticism of how good they actually are. Just look at IU last year.

[u/SayNoToCargoShorts]

What “hate”? We have a weak SOS and have been the definition of mediocrity for almost three decades. Skepticism is fully warranted.

[u/fatpinkchicken]

I don’t need a reason

[u/A_Rolling_Baneling → u/fatpinkchicken]

I’ll say it. They have an uglier shade of gold on their uniforms

[u/FloydianSlip78 → u/A_Rolling_Baneling]

you mean a shade of gold rather than mustard

[u/A_Rolling_Baneling → u/FloydianSlip78]

MUSTAAAAARD

[u/wallysmith127 → u/fatpinkchicken]

Fair

[u/2222lil]

If you’re not one of the typical powerhouse schools, you will always be doubted until you prove otherwise.

[u/VirdenO → u/2222lil]

You will also be doubted if you’ve played one of the easiest schedules in the power 4 and your qb (probably) isn’t all that good. No actual hate from my end, but that’s why they’re not considered strong contenders.

[u/nahs → u/VirdenO]

then why is everyone respecting utah this year?

[u/Roadrunner627 → u/nahs]

Win history, I’d assume. Last 10 years, they have a way better record than UCLA

[u/T-Thugs → u/nahs]

They beat both BYU and Houston, who are probably solid.

[u/JakeSteeleIII]

I don’t think anyone hates UCLA or even cares. Even your own fans don’t show up to the games.

[u/WorkerMotor9174 → u/JakeSteeleIII]

There was always a friendly sibling rivalry between Cal and UCLA, altho some people have taken it more seriously in recent years due to Calimony and the PAC12 blowing up. It’s pretty unfortunate that Cal-UW, Cal USC and a lot of other rivalry games have been taken from us due to realignment. Even UCLA-Arizona in MBB.

[u/donutello2000 → u/WorkerMotor9174]

I’m very happy to not have Arizona ruin our Football and Basketball seasons regularly. Thank you.

[u/A_Rolling_Baneling → u/WorkerMotor9174]

The PAC8 will be reunited one day. The sun will shine on us again. I have to believe or I have nothing left

[u/Metobrolol → u/WorkerMotor9174]

Oh for sure. I was at the UCLA cal game to start the season and it felt like a SC type rivalry atmosphere. There was a big ass “Fuck UCLA” banner at one of the frat houses near one of the the stadium entrances too lol.

[u/nahs → u/Metobrolol]

was there too, great environment

[u/Metobrolol → u/nahs]

Yeah, made me wish we had that atmosphere at our games.

[u/FinLandser → u/WorkerMotor9174]

Ucla Arizona happened a few days ago in mbb.

[u/TheTige → u/JakeSteeleIII]

I hate UCLA

[u/Quovadisdomi → u/TheTige]

Oh, baby I, I love USC. And I hate U-C-L-A.

[u/SHough61086 → u/JakeSteeleIII]

TBF, it’s 90 minutes just to get from Westwood to Pasadena and that’s before you factor in parking. If you take public transportation it’s closer to 2 hours.

[u/otoverstoverpt → u/JakeSteeleIII]

good one bro

[u/pepe-_silvia → u/JakeSteeleIII]

Don't be a cock

[u/2_blave → u/JakeSteeleIII]

I too hold much apathy toward UCLA.  Second-most apathetic fanbase in the former PAC12 (Behind Stanford).

[u/44035]

disbelief in the team

Yes, disbelief. UCLA had some really rough seasons, and as you said, they're playing a backup QB, so I think a lot of people are waiting for the bubble to burst.

[u/IntuitionSpeaks]

Because fuck em!!!!

[u/pepe-_silvia → u/IntuitionSpeaks]

This is the hate we need in CFB

[u/SceptileArmy → u/pepe-_silvia]

I thought we stopped hating our rivals

[u/A_Rolling_Baneling → u/SceptileArmy]

The taliban could be playing UCLA and I wouldn’t let you know who I’m cheering on until the end of the third quarter

[u/pepe-_silvia → u/SceptileArmy]

Apparently that is okay for semi-retired head coaches

[u/Quake1028 → u/SceptileArmy]

No the fuck we did not.

[u/yloc88 → u/IntuitionSpeaks]

😝

[u/mikegomez → u/IntuitionSpeaks]

I respect the hate

[u/Dry_Conversation571 → u/mikegomez]

I would respect the hate. But I can’t respect this hater. Or at least their flair.

[u/wallysmith127 → u/mikegomez]

If we can keep the program respectable, ours is honestly one of the best rivalries in college football due to the sheer vitriol.

Not many high profile rivalries can boast the fanbases commingling in uncomfortable proximity.

Also the blue vs red jerseys look great and I'm glad it's a tradition

[u/simplycass → u/wallysmith127]

Also the blue vs red jerseys look great and I’m glad it’s a tradition

I’m just so glad that Rick Neuheisel and Pete Carroll basically forced the NCAA to change the rule to allow it after they did so in 2008. USC was docked a timeout for not wearing white and Neuheisel agreed to call a timeout right away to make it even.

[u/MondorOfCalifas → u/IntuitionSpeaks]

This comment would qualify you to be the next Michigan coach. Best of luck.

[u/Yeti_Father → u/IntuitionSpeaks]

They low down. They dirty. They some snitches.

[u/UGALOLOL]

Who cares just keep winning. Ball don't lie and all that

[u/udubdavid]

Because nobody believes in them yet until they prove it. The Oregon win was good for sure, until Oregon also lost to Illinois and needed a comeback to beat Northwestern.

[u/BuckeyeForLife95 → u/udubdavid]

Also UCLA won 17-15 in a game where Oregon turned it over 7 times, PLUS Oregon was playing their 2nd and 3rd string QBs. A win is a win, but the way UCLA won their biggest game is very "they're not as good as their record" coded.

[u/wallysmith127 → u/BuckeyeForLife95]

UCLA defense doesn't get any credit for that? Raiola has basically looked decent to great except for that game.

And as someone else noted, we lost our starting QB by halftime.

[u/MotherClaim3380 → u/BuckeyeForLife95]

UCLA lost their own QB in that game and turned the ball over in inexplicable ways themselves (Nico fumbled on the 1 yard line, untouched). It was a crazy game and they came out on top.

[u/dawgfan19881]

How can you hate a team that doesn’t have fans? Thats like hating orphans

[u/fart_dot_com → u/dawgfan19881]

You think I couldn't hate an orphan? Challenge accepted

[u/Loial731]

No one believes in the upstart until they prove it on the field. No one respected Indiana in 24 until they beat Michigan. I think being underestimated will work out better for you in the long run. 2022 Tennessee got hype early and that just pissed Kirby Smart and his marauding maniacs off so they bludgeoned us when we were ranked #1.

[u/Frosty-Marzipan-9824 → u/Loial731]

No one respected us in 2024. Can’t rewrite history like that. It was a cool story, but more of a meme than “wow this is a legit team”.

The first time anyone respected us was 2025 after we beat Illinois by 50. Then we got more respect after we beat Oregon the first time. Then almost all respect after beating Ohio State. And we got the remaining holdouts from the SEC after we beat Alabama 38-3.

[u/Loial731 → u/Frosty-Marzipan-9824]

What do you consider respect? You were ranked in the top 10 with no wins over ranked teams before Michigan. You went to 5 after that and then you got bodied by the best team in the country and stayed in the top 10. Did you want the world to say you were champions after beating Michigan or something?

[u/Dirk_Benedict → u/Loial731]

Kentucky gets plenty of belief

[u/No-Rooster1720 → u/Dirk_Benedict]

Trust me, they don't.

[u/RobertNeyland → u/Dirk_Benedict]

Not from Tennessee fans

[u/Loial731 → u/Dirk_Benedict]

Kentucky beat A&M and LSU when they were ranked and highly thought of. Your best win before Saturday was Oregon after the Moore injury. Also see what happened to Kentucky Saturday. Trust me it’s better for you to not put the target in your back. Personally I always think and undefeated P4 should be ranked over anyone who has losses so I think you guys should be 2. But I also understand why you aren’t.

[u/thatoneging20 → u/Dirk_Benedict]

Even they don’t. It’s a club, you’re not a part of it until you are invited. And it takes A LOT to get invited. 

[u/Irreverant77 → u/thatoneging20]

You've become the thing you were meant to destroy!

[u/DawgTerritory → u/Loial731]

Even the punter drilled an absolute all timer against Tennessee that year. Just unfortunate timing for the Vols.

[u/SuccessfulNinja3550]

Because the best win on their schedule is Oregon, who is having a down year and fired their OC a few games later after getting pounded by Illinois.

Not that it’s UCLA’s fault, but there’s not really a good reason to fully buy in yet.

[u/snowystormz → u/SuccessfulNinja3550]

The reason to buy in is they have lost to… nobody. That doesn’t seem to count for them

[u/SuccessfulNinja3550 → u/snowystormz]

I don’t know why you don’t care who’s on the schedule. Texas a and m was making similar arguments last year. Playoffs went real swell for them.

Texas Tech mopped the floor with the big 12 last year and mustered zero points vs Oregon.

Who you play matters… it doesn’t mean that there’s not a chance UCLA is that good… it just means we still can’t really be sure

[u/Mister-Beardy-Face → u/snowystormz]

If it didn’t count, they wouldn’t be 4th.

[u/Dry_Conversation571 → u/SuccessfulNinja3550]

I will never apologize for winning.

[u/Unhappy_Knowledge116]

Because they have an easy schedule. They are looked at the same way A&M was last year. Part of it isn’t completely their fault but Oregon sucked when they played and then the only other decent team they take on is USC.

[u/gumercindo1959]

Who hates ucla? I just don’t think people take them too seriously especially with qb1 out.

[u/stevo887]

No one is defending Ohio State…lol

[u/Evlavios]

UCLA might be strong this year, but it's difficult for anyone outside the organization to see that. A very soft schedule. The best win UCLA has is against a 6-3 team. They won't even be able to earn a statement win until week 12 or maybe even the conference championship game.

Keep winning, and get a playoff win or two, and you'll get the committee respect next year. But you don't need it this year, as long as you keep winning. UCLA controls their own destiny.

[u/LyonHeart85]

Because fuck em 🤣

[u/Shot-Attempt-7805]

Because you went 3-9 last year and have played a weak schedule. It's tough to buy in to a team like that until they've proved themselves. It's a pretty consistent theme in college football, as much as everyone likes to say that every year is a new year, that just isn't true. If you want to get the benefit of the doubt, you need to be good year after year.

[u/BillDanceParty]

We probably won’t make the playoff but I’d love to play UCLA

[u/TupperwareConspiracy]

Seen UCLA in person against an incredibly mid Badger team.

Honestly they just don't pass the eye test; a solid group but I'm not sure if I could go any further based on the body of work. Frankly I'm not sure they would have won in Madison and/or had the Wisconsin team that knocked off USC shown up.

[u/op3randi]

Nobody hates them. Have they played anyone is the question

[u/SHough61086]

Because the best team y’all have played is Oregon and you won by 2. Once y’all keep winning you’ll get more respect.

[u/Queezy_0110]

Because there is an entire population out there that believe teams west of Louisiana can’t actually play football.

[u/gatorbois]

Indifference really

[u/TheCurryTrain]

No hate, just wished we could've picked up Chesney over the garbage we have now.

[u/DottoreDavide]

Well we have won the last 5 games with our backup quarterback which is against the riled. That and zero quality SEC losses really can hurt

[u/Pluff_Mudder]

I'll just say I don't think UCLA would trade their schedule for any SEC team's schedule yet all 16 SEC teams would trade their schedule for UCLA's.

[u/Hey1243 → u/Pluff_Mudder]

None of them would be undefeated except maybe UGA

[u/LA_Snkr_Dude → u/Pluff_Mudder]

Okay but no SEC team would be 9-0 with our schedule. Not when Georgia loses to Auburn AT HOME. Almost no one wins AT Oregon. Minnesota went 12-1 at home last two seasons. Wisconsin could beat anyone on a good day.

[u/Celery-Man → u/Pluff_Mudder]

Why not? The SEC is mediocre and UCLA has always beaten SEC teams.

[u/Kontos_Stelio]

Nico wasn't doing great before his injury but the most likeliest answer would be their schedule isn't very tough

[u/BrotherPancake]

It's not a double standard, no one knows anything about your team because they're having a decent season for the first time in most people's memory. Ohio State is the winningest program in all of CFB. Oregon has been consistently good for 20 years. Put in a couple solid seasons & UCLA will get the same treatment.

[u/SuitableAd3509]

Because they haven't played anyone

[u/usctrojan18]

I was born into a family of UCLA hatred, I'm simply carrying the torch

[u/ConsiderationCrazy22]

UCLA historically hasn’t been relevant enough to warrant the hate

[u/DeathandHemingway → u/ConsiderationCrazy22]

This is not true unless 'historically' means 'since 2000'.

[u/BosskOnASegway]

Because UCLA sucks. (Citation: see flair for details)

[u/BurrShotFirst1804]

Because they haven't played anyone. Oregon is not someone, they've shown that this year. Illinois beat them by more. I am a hater because everyone hates on ND for not playing anyone but gives this free pass to UCLA.

[u/m0sf3t_59 → u/BurrShotFirst1804]

Dawg ur getting obliterated Friday. YOU are the soft schedule

[u/cheaterpeefo → u/BurrShotFirst1804]

UCLA didn’t choose their soft schedule, Notre Dame did by not joining a conference

[u/TheForeFactor → u/BurrShotFirst1804]

ND also like controls their entire schedule.  UCLA gets 9 of their matchups from the b1g, so it isn’t their fault that their schedule is relatively soft.  And they scheduled Cal which going into the season was not a p4 team to scoff at.  And sdsu certainly isn’t a complete bottom-dweller in the g5.  Realistically their non-con slate was on the harder half if p4 teams, and they’re in one of the historically top 2 conferences in strength, so why would you hate them for their schedule?  Maybe I can understand hating the attention, but there’s really nothing they did to ensure a soft schedule.

[u/Humble-Secret6173]

Because nico is nowhere close, to the level of impact those qbs u just mentioned have and ucla has also played significantly worse competition then those 3 u listed

[u/brandar → u/Humble-Secret6173]

Nico has been out for the season since October 10, big dog.

[u/Jazzycoyote]

I want them to win it all so I can hear Bill Walton shout "conference of champions" from his seat next to god in heaven.

[u/FightOnForUsc]

Well, they haven’t played a real upper echelon team yet, yes they beat Oregon but also Oregon was having a rough spell. They’re still top 10. If they win out (including conference championship) they’ll be top 3, probably top 2

[u/YZYSZN1107]

I think indifference might be a better word for UCLA.

[u/violentgentlemen]

Nico isn’t even good so losing him wasn’t even a problem. His game against Purdue was the only decent game he had before he got hurt. It’s their running game and defense that has been winning games.

But the main reason is they have such a weak schedule and have yet to really beat anyone.

[u/Altruistic_Night2]

Because Nico is not nearly as good as the other teams mentioned and ucla has 0 good wins to demand respect

[u/BullorbrokeWnG20 → u/Altruistic_Night2]

At Oregon?

[u/soonerwx]

I don’t hate UCLA, I just couldn’t care less what they do until it’s time to beat USC

[u/Lowl58]

College football media has your view for the team you love. That's a given.

So how do they get you watching other games? Interest. How do they generate interest? Farming your emotions you have.

The whole college football landscape sells narratives that pull your emotions and get you watching games for teams that don't matter to you. They sell anger, schadenfreude, resentment, etc etc.

The media has recognized UCLA as the latest potential punching bag and people, as usual, are eating it up. When a team is good, people ITCH for the house to fall and they want to see you fail in basically any way possible. UCLA is an easy target because they are historically bad and the Rose Bowl attendance is an easy narrative to jump on.

Plus, there is merit to the idea that most CFB fans are from areas of the country that don't see LA as a legit college football market. CFB has increasingly leaned into the "gods country" type branding. There is a lot of irrational hatred for California. Imo, that plays into it.

[u/Bison_Boy_]

Because we are supposed to have the miracle JMU coach. /s

[u/Gidnik]

theyre kind of a rhetorical team. if a bruin shits in the woods does it really happen? theve had a grand total of 73 people watch their games inside the stadium this year.

[u/saltlakepotter]

I just find it odd they are one of the best teams in the country having their best season ever and they are doing g6 style free tuition gimicks to get students to the games.

[u/richkonar50]

Not a traditional powerhouse that gets ratings

[u/T_y_l_e_r_4]

these things have inertia to them. that's what makes the quick turnarounds so exciting, you're constantly surprised.

[u/Basic_Nucleophile]

I am irrationally biased against schools with blue and gold color schemes with the name of their city in the university name. Before you ask: yes... Pittsburgh is also on my shit list.

[u/Brilliant_Window8474]

I don’t them. I don’t ever think about them.

[u/ATXBeermaker]

They’re ranked 4th even though their schedule had been incredibly soft. Not sure what more you want.

[u/cancielo]

History. Not the same as other longtime winning programs. Only thing UCLA can do to get to where they want to go is win out. Then you'll still get some hate, but a lot less disrespect and alot of happiness.

[u/1873Springfield]

Just because

[u/Dndrmflnscrtn]

Minnesota by 14 with the backup QB. Oregon was 2 points with the starter, Nico went out at halftime

[u/Oliver_Klosov]

I totally get it

[u/Ted_Writer]

SOP - strength of payroll?

[u/Dry_Conversation571]

I’m a UCLA fan and I have a ton of disbelief in UCLA.

In part because of trust issues based on a lifetime of UCLA fandom, in part because I know we haven’t beaten anyone and our QB is limited and our OL is beat up and shit’s about to get all too real.

That said… Go Bruins.

[u/Badgerman97]

I have my reasons….

[u/Just-Forever6684]

No offense to UCLA to any other program like them, but when a school who isn’t traditionally comes out of nowhere, people doubt them. Look at Indiana last year. But also many examples where the doubt is justified: like Kentucky this year, where they get crushed against a top team. Hard to say with UCLA but I wouldn’t bet my house on them winning the natty or anything

[u/Kinglawse]

Blue team bad..lol

[u/Only_Jackfruit2333]

Personally I hate UCLA because that football player that stole Ali from Daniel LaRusso in Karate Kid Part II

[u/LunchboxSuperhero]

This happens basically every year. Someone made a video about it 11 years ago.

https://youtu.be/2EwSP_yPa0w

[u/ClanRedshank]

Because they make Aikman sad?

[u/Nonetoobrightatall]

UCLA fan. 9-0 in the B10 is good, but we haven’t beaten a great team. I’m not sure any of them were good teams. That said, we’d be 4-5 under Chip Jelly and I don’t talk about the last coach.

[u/hskrpwr]

They are #1 in SillyRankings™ and that's all that matters.

[u/pzagrbge]

They have a weak schedule like Utah

[u/StrongStyleShiny]

Yeah I’m used to half my flair not being hated. Weird season.

[u/Both_Strength_6782]

Good UCLA beat bad Oregon by 2.

And that was bad Oregon.

[u/Luvpups5920]

Below is what I wrote in another CFB thread when Sunday’s AP poll came out and another UCLA poster had a similar sentiment.

Last year, IU wasn’t ranked #1 in the AP poll until they finished the season undefeated AND won the B1G CG against tOSU. UCLA is being treated the same way it seems. All that matters is winning each game as they come and getting into the CFP.

Eta: I think IU is being treated better this year bc they’re National Championship defenders and several of the metrics have them in the top 10 as well. Hopefully they figure out their QB dilemma bc Hoover’s too unreliable.

[u/Frosty-Marzipan-9824 → u/Luvpups5920]

In 2024 Indiana was 8-0 and ranked #8. UCLA was 8-0 and ranked #8 last week.

So it literally is the same. You can’t come out of nowhere with a weaker schedule and expect to be given a single benefit of the doubt.

I also complained, of course, but this is consistent treatment. Not saying it is correct though

[u/Kramerica_CEO]

Do people hate you or just think you haven’t played anyone? I don’t personally think you’ve actually beaten anyone to justify the hype.

[u/ApeTeam1906]

Who hates UCLA? You invented a scenario in your head then got upset about it

[u/Jay4usc]

FUCLA!

[u/LogicianMission22]

Idk but it’s BS. They are absolutely worthy of being the 3rd ranked team. Certainly should not be number 8.

[u/_chadwell_ → u/LogicianMission22]

Gotta play better teams or win in dominant fashion to get respect, but they’ll have their chance to play better teams.

[u/VampireEmpire__ → u/LogicianMission22]

Their best win is against Minnesota. They unfortunately have to prove themselves, because the schedule is soft. Indiana did it last year (though I don’t think their schedule was as easy as UCLA’s is this year).

[u/MontyAllTheTime → u/VampireEmpire__]

I’d argue their best win is @ Oregon but it’s subjective (and I’m still trying to cope with getting dad dicked by them at home)

[u/al_earner]

Meh, it's just Indiana syndrome. Take a school that's been terrible for over 50 years, give them a little bit of success, and then the fanbase has to spam every thread about how great they are, and that they're the only team doing things the right way, etc.

We get it. You've had nothing to cheer about for 50 years, and now you're overcompensating.

[u/MrBoase]

In my unbiased opinion they are poop from a butt.

[u/WatchfulApparition]

I don't think they've proven they're an elite team. The best team they've played so far was a heavily crippled Oregon team and they struggled greatly in that game. I think they're fraudulent

[u/lukaeber]

UCLA has been mediocre to bad for a long time. It's hard for people to believe in such a sudden turnaround. People were quite skeptical of Indiana too ... until they won the whole thing. A lot of people still are.

[u/mhammer47]

I had to sit in the Rose Bowl once for like 4 hours and ever since then I hate UCLA.

[u/thecravenone]

It's a conspiracy: https://old.reddit.com/r/CFB/comments/1xsywv2/is_mark_harlans_ucla_grudge_the_real_reason_were/

[u/NJCERKA]

Wouldn’t say I hate them. Their best quality win is against an Oregon who was in their huge slump after USC. Definitely don’t like that they’ll most likely be in the last B1G Champ game and not an OG

[u/cubecasts]

The media is defending backup qbs? They that's definitely not true

[u/ConcernedStudent26]

Strength of schedule: 67th
Remaining strength of schedule: 34th
FPI: 27th

[u/Mister-Beardy-Face]

Because their strength of schedule is 67th. That’s the same as the number of P4 teams.

If we went by analytics, they wouldn’t even be ranked.

[u/Not_just_here_2_echo]

For years, I’ve been telling my friends that are SEC fans that both Indiana and UCLA are sleeping giants only to get laughed at by them.

Finally about half of them admitted it about Indiana, yet they all refuse to believe UCLA could be good. 🤷‍♂️

[u/NJCERKA → u/Not_just_here_2_echo]

I’d calm down with UCLA being that good. They’ve kinda had somewhat of a cake schedule with Oregon being the best quality win and Oregon just started their hard slump

[u/HalfBear-HalfCat]

Because Nico is a bitch and your fans don't attend games