Two college football teams facing challenges in their seasons will meet in Baton Rouge on Saturday. LSU returns to Tiger Stadium after a thrilling comeback victory at South Carolina, while UCLA is looking to regain its footing following a disappointing start under new head coach DeShaun Foster.
LSU managed to rally from a 17-point deficit to defeat South Carolina 36-33, marking one of the largest road comebacks in the program’s history. “The energy and focus was different. It felt like it was a freedom game and everyone was like if we make a mistake, it’s all right,” said LSU defensive end Bradyn Swinson, who leads the team with three sacks.
As the No. 16 ranked team with a record of 2-1, LSU appears to have a clearer understanding of its strengths. In contrast, UCLA, with a record of 1-1, is still struggling to define its identity with new coordinators. The Bruins have only scored 28 points across their first two games, marking the slowest start in five years. Their defense suffered significantly last week in a 42-13 defeat to Indiana, where they allowed the Hoosiers to move the ball freely.
“Guys are eager to get out here and play because, you know, we got to get better,” Foster remarked this week. “It’s different when you have to force them to try to get better and I don’t have to do too much of that.”
The game is set for September 21 at 3:40 p.m. ET at Tiger Stadium, broadcasting on ABC.
Key points to note about the matchup:
UCLA’s offense is struggling despite having experienced players and an established offensive coordinator. Currently, they rank last in scoring within the Big Ten and their running game is one of the weakest in the country. With LSU’s defense allowing 154 rushing yards per game, this might be an opportunity for the Bruins to find some success on the ground.
Conversely, LSU’s defense has shown inconsistency this season. After a strong performance against USC, they faltered against South Carolina, allowing several explosive plays and high yardage per carry.
On the defensive side of the ball, UCLA’s defensive line is a potential bright spot. They rank 28th in the nation for rush defense, but their success has been mixed against different opponents.
As for predictions, LSU’s dynamic offense could pose a significant challenge for UCLA, which is still finding its way under new leadership. With the ability to score heavily against opponents, LSU is likely to find success against UCLA’s struggling defense.