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Previewing LSU's Week 4 Opponent: UCLA Bruins

By Savannah Young

Sep 4, 2021; Pasadena, California, USA; Louisiana State Tigers wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (1) runs the ball for a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the second half the at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Sep 4, 2021; Pasadena, California, USA; Louisiana State Tigers wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (1) runs the ball for a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the second half the at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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After a hard fought win against tough SEC opponent South Carolina in week 3, LSU will look to cruise to victory in Tiger Stadium against a struggling UCLA Bruins team. UCLA is currently ranked outside of the top 25 in all major polls and sits in last place in the Big 10 conference standings.

The first game in this home and home series between UCLA and LSU was played in the Rose Bowl on September 4th, 2021. That loss marked the beginning of the end for former national championship winning coach Ed Orgeron and breathed new life into former Bruins' coach Chip Kelly's tenure. Now, both teams have new coaches and have completely new rosters.

UCLA hired DeShaun Foster as its head coach following the 2023 season. Foster is a former UCLA player, and has worked on the Bruins' coaching staff in 9 of the last 10 seasons before being named head coach. Despite the excitement surrounding the program's fresh start with a beloved former player, the Foster era has had a shaky start. UCLA is also competing in the Big 10 Conference for the first time in its history, after abandoning the Pac 12 Conference last year in a stunning move.

Head Coach DeShaun Foster leads the team out of the tunnel
Sep 14, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster enters the field before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The West Coast team had a rude awakening to the physicality of Big 10 football in their conference opener last week against Indiana, losing 42-13 at home. The Bruins' defense was unable to stop the Hoosiers on 3rd down, and their offense was completely outmatched, struggling to move the ball at all.

On the offensive side of the ball, there have been few bright spots for UCLA to this point in the season. Senior quarterback Ethan Garbers has a 54% completion mark for the season, and has thrown 1 touchdown compared to 3 interceptions in just two games. Starting running back TJ Harden leads the team in receptions and has one rushing touchdown, while wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. leads the team in 133 receiving yards and one touchdown.

The Bruins' defense has been unable to lean on their strong pass rush attack due to a very weak secondary. Opponents have been able to evade UCLA's decent defensive line play by attacking through the air. While the pass rush was able to take down Hawaii's quarterback Brayden Schager 5 times in their week 1 matchup, they did not take down Indiana's quarterback a single time in their week 3 matchup. This past weekend, the Bruins allowed Indiana's Kurtis Rourke to go 25 for 33 with 307 yards and a touchdown.

UCLA will look to bounce back in a tough contest against LSU in Baton Rouge this weekend. Although the Tigers' defense has struggled in every game to this point, they made progress in the second half of their SEC opener against South Carolina last weekend. UCLA will attempt to get running back Harden going quickly in the run game against LSU's battered defensive line. However, unless Garbers and the offense make a giant leap this week in their ability to push the ball downfield in the passing game, the Bruins stand little chance to win the upset against LSU.

The game kicks off this Saturday, September 21st at 2:40 PM Central Standard Time on ABC and ESPN+.

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