Scouting Report: UCLA vs. LSU

UCLA football (1-0) passed its first test of the season when it defeated Hawai’i (0-1) at the Rose Bowl last week in a lopsided 34-point victory. The Bruins displayed an improved defense and commanding run game, but will they be able to repeat the performance against the 2019 national champions? No. 16 LSU, which has yet to play a game this season, is set to travel to Pasadena on Saturday for the two teams’ first-ever matchup on a football field. Here’s this week’s scouting report from assistant editor Francis Moon – who will try not to get lost at the Rose Bowl this time.

LSU’s offense

Offensive scheme: Spread

Run-pass percentage: 55.0% pass, 45.0% rush

Strength: Receiving corps

Weakness: Running game

X-factor: RBs Tyrion Davis-Price/John Emery Jr.

After boasting the nation’s top offense in 2019, LSU took several steps back last season.

It was always going to be tough to live up to the historic offense led by Heisman-winning quarterback Joe Burrow, so a drop in production was expected. But the Tigers finished 5-5 while sliding all the way to 34th in the nation in yards per game and 37th in points per game after leading the country in both the year prior.

However, this year’s LSU squad is expected to be much better in multiple facets.

Quarterback Max Johnson – who earned the starting gig after projected starter Myles Brennan was sidelined with an arm injury during camp – threw for 1,069 yards and eight scores across six games last season and recently drew comparisons to Burrow from LSU coach Ed Orgeron.

Top wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. left for the NFL Draft, but Kayshon Boutte showed he is more than capable of taking over the top receiver role. Boutte led the team with 735 yards and hauled in five touchdowns last season, highlighted by a 14-catch, 308-yard game with three touchdowns in the team’s season finale against Ole Miss.

One potential area for improvement is LSU’s backfield, headlined by the returning duo of running backs Tyrion Davis-Price and John Emery Jr. The team also returns its entire starting offensive line, which has lots of room for growth after becoming a weak spot last season.

The Tigers ran for 121.7 yards per game last season, good for 12th in the Southeastern Conference, compared to 167.3 in 2019. Both Davis-Price and Emery could have consistent roles in the offense this year and help the team bounce back from its uncharacteristic rushing woes.

Former running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran for at least 100 yards in seven of 15 games in the 2019 season, including in the 2020 National Championship game against Clemson, while Davis-Price and Emery combined for three such games last year.

Orgeron and first-year offensive coordinator Jake Peetz are also planning to bring back the multiple aspect of its offense from 2019 under Joe Brady by using more diverse schemes including a run-pass option portion.

The Bruins displayed a revamped defense in Week Zero that allowed just 26 rushing yards, and it will have to be at its best once again if it wants to slow down the Tiger offense.

LSU’s defense

Defensive scheme: 4-2-5, 4-3

Blitz tendency: Medium-high

Strength: Cornerback tandem

Weakness: Run defense

X-factor: New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones

LSU’s defense is headlined by Derek Stingley Jr., who is arguably the top player in college football.

Though the cornerback had no interceptions in seven games last season – the ball was rarely thrown his way – Stingley had a historic freshman season in 2019, recording 38 tackles and six interceptions while helping lead a championship-winning defense as an 18-year-old.

But even with the two-time First Team All-SEC honoree anchoring the secondary, the 2020 LSU defense was subpar and inconsistent at best.

The Tigers ranked 124th out of 127 teams in the country in yards allowed per game with 492 while giving up just under 35 points per contest. The secondary helped secure 13 interceptions for the Tigers, the most in the SEC, but they also gave up 323 passing yards per game, the highest mark in the nation.

With more experience, returning talent and improved depth, the pass defense has a real chance to take a leap this season led by their cornerback tandem.

In addition to Stingley, cornerback Eli Ricks secured two pick-sixes his freshman season while earning Third Team All-American honors. With two lockdown corners at the team’s disposal, opposing quarterbacks may have to pick their poison. UCLA senior quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson will need to be sharp with his decision making.

"He's not a future superstar – he's a superstar."

Derek Stingley is special. pic.twitter.com/1B9n8ZFn41

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 8, 2019

The defensive front didn’t fare much better, ranking 65th in the nation by giving up 169 rushing yards per game and 18 touchdowns on the ground.

New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones will have the chance to turn the ship back around this season against both the run and pass, and he has many options to help him do so. Linebacker Damone Clark tied for the team lead in total tackles last season with 63, while defensive end Andre Anthony led with 5.5 sacks.

After briefly switching to a 3-4 alignment last season, LSU is expected to revert back to a 4-3 while incorporating a 4-2-5 under Jones, the Tigers’ third defensive coordinator in as many years.

In the wake of a dominant performance from UCLA junior running back Zach Charbonnet last week, LSU may opt to stack the box to force Thompson-Robinson, who struggled against Hawai’i last week, to beat them through the air.

If Thompson-Robinson struggles early on again, the Tigers are more than capable of containing the rest of the Bruins’ offense – which leaves little room for error on that side of the ball.