The upcoming game between the UCLA Bruins and the LSU Tigers is one of the marquee non-conference matchups of the 2024 college football season. UCLA, under head coach Chip Kelly, is in the midst of a challenging stretch of games. After a solid opening win against Hawaii, the Bruins stumbled against Indiana, suffering a 42-13 defeat. UCLA’s offense, led by quarterback Dante Moore, has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency. The Bruins’ ground game, anchored by running back Carson Steele, will need to be at its best against an LSU defense that has been tough against the run.

Defensively, UCLA has been vulnerable, especially in the secondary, and they will need to tighten up to handle LSU’s potent passing attack. LSU, led by head coach Brian Kelly, has had a strong start to the season, demonstrating their capability on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Jayden Daniels has been the linchpin of the Tigers’ offense, displaying his dual-threat ability with both his arm and legs. In their most recent game, Daniels threw for 322 yards and three touchdowns against a solid opponent. Running back Logan Diggs has provided a complementary rushing threat, adding balance to the Tigers’ attack. Defensively, LSU has shown some weaknesses, particularly in giving up big plays, but they have also been effective in creating turnovers. The key for LSU will be to maintain their offensive rhythm and pressure UCLA into mistakes.