UCLA Bruins (1-0) vs LSU Tigers (0-0)
Game Info: Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 8:30 pm (Rose Bowl)
Betting Odds: UCLA Bruins +3 -- Over/Under: 65 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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LSU faces UCLA on Saturday, September 4th, at the Rose Bowl for a Week 1 college football matchup.
LSU may have had a disappointing season in 2020, but the Tigers are revamped and look to be dangerous in the SEC yet again. LSU won the National Championship in the 2019 season with Joe Burrow at quarterback. In 2020, LSU finished the season with a 5-5 record in the regular season. LSU struggled mightily on the defensive side of the ball, but this year the team returns 9 defensive starters and looks to be a lot sharper. LSU is ranked #16 in the nation heading into this season after a successful transfer and signing offseason. LSU returns nine starters on offense, including Myles Brennan. Brennan is still battling an injury and will not be ready for the start of the season, but LSU still has plenty of talent at QB with Max Johnson and true freshman Garrett Nussmeier. LSU is going to be a force to be reckoned with in SEC play in 2021.
UCLA was able to get a game in during Week 0 of the season last weekend. UCLA defeated Hawaii by the final score of 44-10 at home. UCLA was a 17.5-point favorite and it easily covered the spread in a dominating performance. UCLA ran for 244 yards on the ground for four rushing touchdowns as well. The passing game for UCLA was not needed much, as Dorian Thompson-Robinson only completed 10 passes for 130 passing yards and a passing touchdown. UCLA's defense was impressive, allowing a total of 26 rushing yards, forcing two interceptions, and earning two sacks as well. UCLA will now face its first Power 5 opponent of the season and this should be a great test for Chip Kelley and the Bruins at home.
LSU opens as a 3-point favorite and the total is set at 65. We have a fantastic schedule of games in week one of the season and this is no exception. The SEC battles the PAC-12 and I think this should be a close game until the end. I think LSU pulls away in the end with a victory on the road and I also think LSU covers the number. UCLA has to be sharper in the passing game to upset LSU, and I do not think that happens in this one.
Ron’s Pick LSU -3
AUTHOR: Ron Romanelli
Follow Ron Romanelli on Twitter @RonnieRomanelli