In a move that surprised college football fans, UCLA has announced that it will no longer be facing powerhouse teams Georgia and Auburn in its future football schedules. Instead, the Bruins will be taking on former Pac-12 rivals Utah and California in nonconference matchups.

The decision to drop Georgia and Auburn was made by mutual agreement among the schools, leading UCLA to schedule games against Utah and Cal. The Bruins will face Utah at the Rose Bowl in 2025 and at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City in 2030. Similarly, UCLA will take on Cal at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley in 2026 and 2028, as well as at the Rose Bowl in 2027 and 2029.

The scheduling changes come with several benefits for UCLA. Not only will it reduce the travel burden for the team, but it will also allow the Bruins to revive their rivalry with Cal that dates back to 1933. Additionally, the move will enhance recruiting efforts in Northern California and provide UCLA fans in the Bay Area with regular opportunities to see the team in action.

UCLA's recruiting staff, under the leadership of new head coach DeShaun Foster, has also undergone significant expansion. With the addition of new strategies and techniques, the team aims to attract top talent and bolster its performance on the field.

From a competitive standpoint, UCLA believes that it no longer requires SEC schools as part of its nonconference schedule. As the Bruins make the move to the Big Ten, their conference schedule alone will provide enough quality opponents. However, the addition of Utah, which has won the Pac-12 twice in the last three seasons and is expected to contend in the Big 12, promises to add a formidable challenge. On the other hand, Cal has struggled to achieve a winning season since 2019, though it secured a convincing victory against UCLA last season.

Interestingly, the series between Cal and UCLA is set to resume despite the two teams belonging to far-flung conferences. While UCLA is currently obligated to pay "Calimony" payments to its sister school, the scheduling move could serve as a positive gesture between the institutions, fostering their relationship.

In terms of future scheduling, UCLA has opted for a new approach. It now includes one major-conference team alongside two lesser opponents. For example, in 2025, the Bruins will face Nevada Las Vegas and New Mexico in addition to Utah. Similarly, in 2026, they will take on San Diego State and Nevada in addition to Cal. In 2027, the Bruins will play Hawaii and UC Davis alongside Cal.

Although the change in scheduling may take some getting used to, UCLA is confident in the strength of its nonconference opponents and the overall composition of its forthcoming football seasons. As the Bruins continue their journey in the Big Ten, fans eagerly await the exciting matchups against familiar foes from the Pac-12.