UCLA receives votes in first US LBM Coaches Poll of the new season

In the inaugural USA TODAY Sports US LBM Coaches Poll of the 2026 season, the UCLA Bruins earned four votes following their Week 1 victory over the California Golden Bears. Despite not receiving as many votes as they did in the first Associated Press Top-25 rankings, the Bruins became the fourth Big Ten team to earn votes while remaining unranked in the US LBM Coaches Poll.

Illinois secured 45 votes, Nebraska received 11, and Minnesota garnered nine votes. Seven ranked Big Ten teams appeared in the first week's poll, with No. 1 Ohio State retaining its top position. The 2025 National Champions and No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers climbed one spot with a 36-point Week 1 triumph over North Texas. Conversely, the No. 6 Oregon Ducks' sluggish start against Boise State saw them drop four ranks and fall out of the Top-5.

The No. 14 USC Trojans stayed at No. 16, while the No. 21 Iowa Hawkeyes edged up one rank. The No. 24 Michigan Wolverines experienced the most significant drop among ranked teams, losing eight ranks after their last-second escape against Western Michigan. After the first week, UCLA now ranks No. 12 within the Big Ten Conference based on US LBM Coaches Poll votes.