LSU Football: UCLA playing Hawaii in week zero gives the Tigers an advantage

LSU football is set to take on the UCLA Bruins on Saturday to open the 2021 season.

The Tigers are looking to get off to a quick start this season after going 5-5 in 2020.

Beating a Chip Kelly-led UCLA team on the road would certainly be a great way to wash off the stink of LSU’s 2020 season-opening loss to Mississippi State.

LSU is currently a three-point favorite over the Bruins according to the latest odds from WynnBet.

LSU Football might have an advantage over UCLA

The Tigers should have an advantage over UCLA in week one.

That’s because the Bruins have already played a game. UCLA beat Hawaii 44-10 this past weekend in a “week zero” matchup.

It might seem like this would be an advantage for the Bruins — an early-season game and opportunity to knock off the rust.

And there’s certainly some truth to that. UCLA definitely had an opportunity to iron out some stuff against an inferior opponent.

But UCLA’s week zero matchup with Hawaii is actually a bigger advantage for Ed Orgeron and the Tigers. It gave LSU some film to study. And it possibly gave the Tigers some things to look for that they weren’t expecting from the Bruins.

Coach O alluded to that possibility on Wednesday morning during his appearance on the SEC coaches’ teleconference.

Here’s what Orgeron had to say when he was asked if UCLA’s defense against Hawaii surprised him (via 247Sports):

"Yes, not completely, but better than they were from last year. I thought they had their guys playing. They were attacking. They were making plays all over the field and I thought their cornerbacks tackled well in open space so it’s going to be a challenge, but we have speed too.”"

LSU will be much better prepared for whatever UCLA has to throw at them because of the Bruins’ matchup against Hawaii.

Sure, the Tigers will have some rust to knock off. They’ll need to find their groove. But LSU is a much more talented team than UCLA. The Tigers’ preparedness, combined with their superior talent, should help LSU leave Los Angeles with a much-needed win.