UCLA, Missouri lead college football's 10 biggest surprise teams from first half

New coach Bob Chesney has already transformed No. 12 from Big Ten doormat to the fastest riser in the Power Four, and the Bruins aren't done yet. Now 6-0 after beating Oregon , UCLA is seen as a heavy College Football Playoff thanks to this year's growth and a relatively easy finish to the regular season. To go from nine losses in 2025 to the playoff one year would be a turnaround mirrored in recent history only by Indiana's star turn under coach Curt Cignetti – formerly of James Madison , just like Chesney.