UCLA football will not play its first 2026 campaign until Sep 5 against California. But that does not mean there are not positional battles occurring across the gridiron.

UCLA football will not play its first game of the 2026 campaign until Sept. 5 against California. But that does not mean there are not positional battles across the gridiron.

This post was updated May 7 at 10:16 p.m.
Across the gridiron, a one-on-one competition takes place that can determine the success or failure of each play.

It was a Bruin win, it was a Bruin loss.
The Rose Bowl was a house divided Saturday.
Brothers fought brothers. Teammates wrestled and tackled. Coaches on the same staff shouted from opposite sidelines.

The Chesney Train left the station Dec. 9.
[Related: UCLA introduces Bob Chesney as head football coach, instills hope in Bruin community]
And the locomotive has been gaining speed since he stepped foot in Westwood.

This post was updated April 28 at 10:46 p.m.
Specialization is a natural byproduct of football.
Most players play on one side of the ball – offense or defense.

Bob Chesney said his team was in “win now” mode.
In fact, at halftime of the UCLA men’s basketball game against Indiana on Jan. 31, the football head coach went as far as saying that the team would hang a Big Ten championship banner.