LSU returns home to face the UCLA Bruins at 3:30 ET Saturday, September 21. After last weeks nail-biting victory in Columbia, South Carolina versus the gamecocks, LSU looks to fix some of the mental errors and mistakes from last game. UCLA is seen as a weaker opponent than South Carolina but UCLA could still come out swinging as that tends to be the case with starting the game and LSU. The college football world has seen LSU start off games slow and if UCLA can come out the gate swinging like other teams have, this Could be a game that’s reminiscing of the 2021 Season opener against UCLA. However, LSU should be the more physically gifted and a better coached team than UCLA, so in my opinion, LSU should win this game. Let’s get into what factors will control this game and what improvements needs to be seen from LSU.

THE RUN GAME!:

The run game has been lacking Throughout the first three games for LSU, but the bright side is that against South Carolina a true freshman running back Caden Durham emerged from the fog. Caden Durham against the gamecocks was breaking tackles, getting into open space, and showed the fight the LSU fans expect to see from the running back. If LSU can come out swinging in the run game consistently and can get more than 2 yards a Carry which seem to be the only thing they could do against Southern Cal. Then victory is in sight.

I do believe this game will be the get right game for the running Attack on offense, The offensive line has gotten better every game when it came down to run protection, and I believe the South Carolina game provided momentum and confidence for the offensive line to get a push off the ball. Besides the offensive line, we need to see the rest of the running back room break a Tackle and not just get tackled standing up straight. Some of the running back room lacks the physicality that we witnessed from them last season and that will not be a successful formula for SEC play.

BRING PRESSURE ON UCLA QB ETHAN GARBERS:

In the last victory against South Carolina, LSU was able to bring pressure effectively and consistently harassing both Lanorris Sellers and Robby Ashford. This game there should be no difference in our past rush, let Perkins Spy the quarterback, and fly to him, All the while letting Bradyn Swinson and Sai’Vion Jones eat on the other side of the line. I would like to see the LSU pass, rush, swarm, harass, and maintain the UCLA passing attack. UCLA does not have a receiver that should be consistently winning one on one matchup against our defensive backs. So, bring the heat. Use the momentum and energy from the defense Of last week and let it fly out onto the field at home this Saturday.

Conclusion:

If LSU can come out the gate swinging and not get behind like they tend to do in a lot of games, that would be seen as a stellar improvement in my eyes. They can do this by winning the line of scrimmage on the offensive side of the ball, and consistently bringing pressure against this, inexperienced UCLA offensive attack. In my final prediction for the game, I see LSU coming out on top of this game 38-13. I would Specifically like to see Harold Perkins all over the field harassing the quarterback and Karen Lacy getting a couple deep shots thrown his way by Garrett Nussmeier. In the end of the day, just win. GEAUX TIGAHS