No. 4 UCLA hosts Illinois at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, with a 6 p.m. PST kickoff. The Bruins are 9-0, so a win would give them a 10-0 start for the first time since 1998, and UCLA’s official schedule lists the game as the first of three on a busy November road.
UCLA vs Illinois: records and what is at stake
UCLA is 9-0 overall and 6-0 in the Big Ten. The Bruins rank fourth in the AP poll, and the College Football Playoff committee placed them eighth in its first rankings. A 10-0 start would be only the third in program history.
Illinois arrives at 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten. The Fighting Illini have won four straight games, including an overtime win over Michigan State. The series is tied 6-6, so the winner takes the series lead.
Injuries matter on both sides. Illinois running back Javari Barnett is out for the season. UCLA will play without four players, including starting right tackle Hall Schmidt, according to ABC7’s game preview. Quarterback Ty Dieffenbach is 4-0 as UCLA’s starter.
Getting to the Rose Bowl on a Friday night
A 6 p.m. kickoff means fans leave work and school early, so Pasadena streets will fill during the evening commute. Plan extra time, and check UCLA’s gameday page and the Rose Bowl Stadium site for lot openings, shuttle service and entry rules. Those details had not been posted for this game when this article was written.
Tickets are sold through UCLA Athletics. Kickoff times can change, so confirm the time on the official schedule before you leave. For more local sports and health coverage, see our health and sports hub.
What comes after Illinois
The schedule stays heavy. UCLA travels to Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 21, and the kickoff time is still to be announced. Then the Bruins host USC at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 28 for the Crosstown rivalry, also with a time to be announced.
As a result, Friday’s game sets the tone for the final three weeks. A win keeps UCLA unbeaten heading into the Michigan trip. A loss would end the perfect season, but the rivalry game would still be at home.
As of Nov. 12, 2026, the official schedule is the best place to track these changes, because broadcast partners can move kickoff times for the last two games.