 In the 1965 football season, the Bruins lost their season opening game 13–3 at Michigan State, who then rose to become the top-ranked team in the country.The unheralded Bruins would go on a seven-game undefeated streak, surprising national powers the likes of Syracuse and Penn State.Going into the 1965 UCLA–USC rivalry football game ranked #7, the conference championship and 1966 Rose Bowl were on the line.