The UCLA Bruins are one of the biggest stories in a wild and wacky 2026 college football season. The 7-0 Bruins are heavy favorites to push their record to 8-0 when they host 3-4 Nevada on Saturday at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

UCLA is pushing for a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game and the College Football Playoff, so it can’t afford to overlook anyone. It’s a 1-0 mentality every week in Westwood.

Still, plenty of action around the country deserves a close look from Bruins fans. Several results could shape the Big Ten race and the at-large playoff picture in UCLA’s favor.

Bruins fans should begrudgingly cheer for crosstown rival USC over Ohio State

The first decision for Bruins fans is the most difficult one. They’ll have to do the unthinkable, and for many, the impossible, by pulling for USC to upset second-ranked Ohio State on Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The Buckeyes come in as touchdown favorites. However, they’ll be without quarterback Julian Sayin for the matchup, as he’s out indefinitely.

A lot of Bruins fans probably can’t bring themselves to root for the Trojans. Still, a USC win would hand Ohio State its first Big Ten loss and second loss overall. That outcome would serve UCLA well in both the Big Ten standings and the at-large playoff conversation.

Other Big Ten games that could help UCLA

Elsewhere in the conference, No. 4 Indiana hosts 5-2 Minnesota. The Gophers are up next on the Bruins’ schedule, so a Minnesota win would do double duty. It would boost the resume of a future UCLA opponent while also handing Indiana its second Big Ten loss.

Meanwhile, 6-1 Northwestern travels to Oregon. UCLA already owns a win over the Ducks from earlier in the season. An Oregon victory at home would give the Wildcats another conference loss and give the Bruins’ resume a minor bump.

Playoff contenders Bruins fans should root against

From an at-large perspective, UCLA fans should keep an eye on the teams sitting ahead of the Bruins in the standings.

No. 3 Georgia plays Florida in Atlanta. A Gators win would help UCLA leap the Bulldogs.

Undefeated Utah also hits the road to face Cincinnati, which just knocked off Texas Tech. A Utah loss there would help the Bruins as well. Beyond that, a loss by Utah would mean either BYU or Utah would have two losses after next weekend, when they face off in the annual Holy War. Speaking of BYU, they host Arizona State, so it’s “go Sun Devils” for Bruins fans on Saturday.

Finally, No. 1 Miami and No. 5 Notre Dame both play on the road, with the Hurricanes facing North Carolina and the Fighting Irish taking on Navy. Neither North Carolina nor Navy looks like too much of an upset threat on paper. However, in this day and age of college football, you never know, particularly with the Tar Heels. Bruins fans should be hoping one of those top teams slips on Saturday.

If UCLA takes care of Nevada and gets a little help around the country, its path to the Big Ten title game and the playoff could look a lot clearer by Sunday morning.