UCLA ranked in top 10 heading into Pac-12 play for first time since 2000
UCLA receiver Jordan Payton tries to elude BYU cornerback Micah Hannemann after making a catch in the second quarter Saturday at the Rose Bowl.
UCLA moved up to ninth Sunday in the Associated Press poll, the Bruins’ highest ranking heading into Pac-12 Conference play since 2000, when it was called the Pac-10.
The Bruins were ranked sixth heading into conference play in 2000 before losing to Oregon.
UCLA opened the season ranked 13th and moved up to 10th after victories over Virginia and Nevada Las Vegas. A 24-23, come-from-behind victory over Brigham Young on Saturday moved the Bruins up another notch.
They are the Pac-12’s highest-ranked team.
UCLA plays No. 16 Arizona in Tucson on Saturday. The Bruins were ranked 11th heading into the Pac-12 last season and rose to as high as No. 8. They finished at No. 10, their highest final ranking since No. 8 in 1998.
The Bruins are No. 11 in the USA Today coaches’ poll.
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