By Milton Manningham, LSU Football Contributor

LSU returns to Tiger Stadium after an exhausting comeback win against South Carolina, where they rallied from a 17-point deficit to secure a thrilling 36-33 victory. The Tigers’ comeback marked the second-largest road comeback in school history, showcasing their resilience.

Defensive end Bradyn Swinson, who leads the team with three sacks, reflected on the team’s mindset during the game: “The energy and focus were different. It felt like a freedom game, and everyone was like, if we make a mistake, it’s all right.” LSU’s ability to overcome adversity in that game speaks volumes about their potential moving forward.

While LSU (2-1) is starting to define its strengths, UCLA (1-1) is struggling to find its identity under new coordinators. The Bruins have had a sluggish start offensively, scoring only 28 points combined in two games, marking their slowest offensive start in five years. Last week’s 42-13 loss to Indiana exposed UCLA’s weaknesses, as the defense was unable to stop the Hoosiers, who moved the ball with ease and didn’t punt until the final drive.

UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster expressed optimism, stating, “Guys are eager to get out here and play because, you know, we got to get better.” The Bruins are hoping to bounce back from their rough start.

Despite LSU’s recent success, their defense has shown inconsistencies, particularly against the run. After a solid start to the season, the Tigers allowed 12 explosive plays against South Carolina, including seven runs of 10-plus yards. They’re giving up 154 rushing yards per game, ranking 89th in FBS.

This presents an opportunity for UCLA to establish its ground game, though the Bruins’ offense, led by quarterback Ethan Garbers, has been underwhelming. UCLA’s defense, however, may have an edge in the trenches, as their D-line ranks 28th nationally in rush defense. This matchup will hinge on which team can exploit the other’s weaknesses.