(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
LSU will meet UCLA for the second time in program history on Saturday afternoon. The last and only meeting came in 2021 when LSU fell flat at the Rose Bowl.
Three years later, both programs look different. You’re probably aware of the changes at LSU. That UCLA loss marked the beginning of the end for [autotag]Ed Orgeron[/autotag] at LSU and eventually led to the hiring of [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag].
Chip Kelly left UCLA in the offseason to take Ohio State’s offensive coordinator position. UCLA didn’t look far for Kelly’s replacement, opting to promote DeShaun Foster from within.
UCLA was on the way up when it last met LSU, but now the Bruins enter a rebuild in Year 1 under Foster. Promoting Foster helped hold the roster together, and UCLA ranked 21st in returning production. The timing of the change, however, made it hard to fill any holes on the roster.
LSU expects to take care of business in this one, but here are five things to know about the UCLA Bruins.
It’s a rebuild at UCLA
UCLA had an early bye, so the Bruins played just two games in Weeks 1-3. UCLA split the pair, squeaking out with a win at Hawai’i before taking a blowout loss to Indiana at home in Week 3.
The Indiana loss was ugly. The game got away from UCLA early after a fumble on its first drive. Indiana turned it on, and that was the ball game.
It was UCLA’s first Big Ten contest and may be a sign of things to come. This week begins a brutal stretch for UCLA that includes road games at LSU and Penn State sandwiching a home game against Oregon.
UCLA needs a lot to go right to win any of those games. Despite the continuity provided by Foster, this remains a rebuild in Westwood.
UCLA will put hopes in stopping the run
UCLA was picked apart in the passing game against Indiana, but the Bruins held up against the run. The Hoosiers’ EPA/rush was minus-0.04, putting them in the 42nd percentile.
UCLA is allowing 3.1 yards per run this year, ranking 30th nationally. That gives it a chance against an LSU ground attack working through some struggles.
In this department, UCLA is led by linebacker Kain Medrano. According to PFF, Medrano has made seven stops and 11 tackles in two games. In his fifth year of college football, he’s one of the leaders on this defense.
UCLA’s offense is struggling
DeShaun Foster hired Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to lead the offense at UCLA. The results to start 2024 are rough.
UCLA’s 5.2 yards per play ranks 79th in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The Bruins don’t protect the football, throwing three picks in their two games.
When it comes to negative plays, UCLA is allowing 4.5 tackles for loss per game. That number isn’t terrible on the surface, but you can’t afford that when it’s difficult to move the ball through the air.
Per PFF, UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers owns the second-worst passing grade in the Big Ten. LSU’s secondary took advantage of an inconsistent QB last week, and the Tigers will seek to do it again in Week 4.
Players to know
We talked about linebacker Kain Medrano, but here are some other Bruins to keep an eye on when they arrive in Tiger Stadium on Saturday.
- Safety Bryan Addison: Oregon transfer in his fifth year of college football. He has four stops on the year and allowed one catch in 35 coverage snaps against Indiana.
- Guard Spencer Holstege: Up front, UCLA is led by Holstege. He’s a veteran with over 3,000 snaps. UCLA in the Big Ten is a return to the conference for Holstege, who began his career at Purdue.
- J. Michael Sturdivant: Caught 39 passes for 597 yards and two scores last year. He’s struggled to get going this year with UCLA’s issues at QB, but he’s a threat to make plays against LSU’s young secondary.
Other notes
- This will be the first time UCLA has played a football game in the state of Louisiana.
- Saturday will mark UCLA’s 11th road game in an SEC stadium. The Bruins are 3-5-2 in the previous 10 contests.
- This is LSU’s second game with a Big Ten school this year after opening the season against USC.
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