After a turbulent 0–4 start, interim head coach Tim Skipper slowed the slide, preventing another long losing streak. But back-to-back defeats to Nebraska and Indiana have left the Bruins at 3–6 and facing the reality of a deeper reset. With the program searching for long-term direction, attention has naturally shifted towards a rising name at James Madison.

During Saturday’s appearance on StateFarm, Rick Neuheisel of CBS Sports, the father of UCLA’s interim OC Jerry Neuheisel, shared, “I’m hearing Bob Chesney from James Madison at UCLA. He’s gotta make a decision.” At 48, Chesney has done one thing everywhere he’s gone: win. He’s climbed every rung of the CFB ladder and never slipped. His career record? A sharp 128-51. At James Madison, he’s in year two and already sitting at 17-5.

With a track record like that, it’s no wonder programs are lining up to get a piece of Chesney’s success. But if not UCLA, Penn State could lure this talent, even though Mike Elko remains their top target. As the father of UCLA’s interim OC said, “With Mike Elko re-upping with Texas A&M, which is being reported, it seems like Penn State still got a spot.” There’s enough reasoning behind it, too.

“Chesney’s from the state of Pennsylvania, so maybe he’s waiting for something a little bit close to home,” according to Rick. But Chesney has never coached in the Power Four. Still, every stop has looked the same, and the success speaks for itself. He turned Holy Cross into an FCS powerhouse before landing in Harrisonburg. At Salve Regina, he stacked winning seasons like it was routine.

Now under his guidance, the Dukes sit atop the SBC with a 9–1 record. With that, the growing coaching speculation fits him perfectly. Even Virinina Tech drew interest. Addressing the links, he said, “These are things that are important for the community and for the guys who got us here. It’d be foolish and unfair to just brush it under the rug and say it doesn’t exist because it does,” added the Madison HC. But we never know the Universe’s plan.

Here, you can’t overlook the Bruins’ rise under Skipper. UCLA achieved a major upset, defeating PSU 42-37, in his second game as interim HC. Now, Tim Skipper has a chance to do something that no UCLA coach has pulled off since Dick Vermeil. Yes, beat a No. 1 team. But as a 31.5-point underdog, can the Bruins do that under the interim HC?

Tim Skipper’s take on OSU before the clash

While Tim Skipper’s UCLA heads on the road to face the No. 1 OSU, the odds may not favor the Bruins, but the interim HC isn’t sweating just yet. His confidence with his team stands out. “The team better be excited for this one,” said Skipper. “There’s no bigger opportunity right here. We’ll be ready to go—night kickoff, under the lights, let’s play.” This confidence may be because Skipper knows what he’s up against offensively.

OSU’s Heisman favorite QB Julian Sayin leads an arsenal of weapons, with RBs and WRs ready to attack any weakness. “As soon as you start to load that box, it’s on for those guys. They’ll attack you like crazy,” warned the interim HC.  “We have to be ready every down. No excuses.” While OSU’s offense ranks 35th nationally with 415.5 YPG, Skipper believes in Jerry Neuheisel’s coached offense. But defensively, the Buckeyes are just as imposing.

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OSU has been a top-25 unit in terms of rushing yards, ranking sixth-best by giving up only 82.9 per game. Probably, that’s why Skipper said, referring to OSU’s discipline, “They line up, play fast, play violent, and they play together. You don’t see that kind of unselfishness every day.” Still, behind the praise, one thing is clear: winning is the ultimate goal.