Can Bob Chesney work his lower-level magic at UCLA in Year 1?

Is it his killer scheme? Masterful motivation? Cutting-edge recovery program?None of the above, actually.As he prepares to make his debut in the big-time of the Big Ten, Bob Chesney said there’s no special formula that’s sparked his swift rise.His best ability might be adaptability.The UCLA football coach who was working at the Football Championship Subdivision level just three years ago before taking James Madison to the College Football Playoff last season has met every challenge with a tailored approach.“I think it’s my willingness and my ability to learn and figure out exactly what needs to be done and do it in all those situations … where people never thought you possibly could,” Chesney said last week at Big Ten media days.“That’s what gives me the confidence” at the Power Four level.Chesney’s to-do list is a long one at a place that hasn’t made much noise in the college football landscape in more than a decade.Here are five questions facing the Bruins as they prepare to open fall camp on Thursday:There were times last season when it seemed as if UCLA’s quarterback was a greater threat with his legs than with his arm.Part of it was a shaky offensive line that gave him little time to throw, but Iamaleava’s touch on his passes was often not where it needed to be on medium and deep routes.After Iamaleava finished the season as his team’s leading rusher with 505 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, expect defenses to construct their scheme around making him beat them with his arm.Iamaleava completed 64.4% of his passes last season, ranking No.

8 in the Big Ten in accuracy.If he can nudge that percentage a few points upward in 2026, it will likely make UCLA’s offense far more dangerous than the sputtering version from a year ago.A year ago, UCLA’s defensive problems were largely tied to the lack of a pass rush.That issue could be solved by the arrival of Sahir West from James Madison and the continued emergence of Scott Taylor....