An interesting non-conference battle takes out West where the #16 LSU Tigers visit the UCLA Bruins (1-0) on Saturday, September 4, 2021. LSU is coming off a disappointing 2020 season and UCLA is looking to build off a dominant Week Zero performance. This game will air live on FOX at 8:30 p.m. EST.
LSU came off a National Championship in 2019 but struggled to a 5-5 record in 2020. It was the first .500 season for LSU since 1974. The Tigers self-imposed a bowl ban in 2020 and missed a bowl for the first time since the 1998 season. Head coach Ed Orgeron will look to rebound in his fifth season at the helm.
UCLA started the 2021 season with a 34-point victory over Hawai’i but will need better QB play if they hope to pull the upset Saturday night.
Below are the College Football picks, and preview, for the battle between the #16 LSU Tigers and UCLA Bruins. All odds are from Caesars Sportsbook.
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+
#16 LSU Tigers (-3.5) at UCLA Bruins: O/U 66.0 (-106/-110)
LSU at UCLA Betting Trends
LSU
LSU is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 8 of LSU’s last 12 games.
LSU is 15-5 SU in their last 20 games.
LSU is 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games on the road.
LSU is 7-0 SU in their last 7 games against an opponent in the Pac-12 conference.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of LSU’s last 6 games played in September.
LSU is 12-1 SU in their last 13 games played in week 1.
LSU is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games played on a Saturday.
UCLA
UCLA is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of UCLAs’ last 6 games at home.
UCLA is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games against an opponent in the Southeastern conference.
UCLA is 1-7 SU in their last 8 games played in September.
UCLA is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games played in week 1.
UCLA is 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games played on a Saturday.
LSU lost starting QB Myles Brennan early in training camp, so the Tigers will be relying on Max Johnson to lead them to victory in 2021. Johnson will have WR Kayshon Boutte as weapon outside, but the real strength of this offensive is up front. Austin Deculus, Ed Ingram, Chasen Hines, and Liam Shanahan will anchor one of the best lines in the nation. Defensively, the Tigers have, arguably, the best player in the country in Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr and he will team up with Eli Ricks to form a lockdown duo. Defensive ends Ali Gaye and Andre Anthony will look to rush the QB this season.
UCLA was one of a few teams to play in Week Zero and they cruised to a 44-10 home win over the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors. Zach Charbonnet, the Michigan transfer Running Back, led the way for the Bruins with 106 yards and three touchdowns on just six carries. Brittain Brown was also a weapon on the ground as he rushed for 78 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries. The Bruins rushed for 244 yards and four touchdowns on 43 carries as a team. Defensively, the Bruins held Hawai’i to 269 total yards and forced two Rainbow Warrior interceptions.
Series History: This will be the first meeting between these two storied college football programs.