It’s Friday, September 20 and we’ve got Week 4 action on the slate with the UCLA Bruins and LSU Tigers all set to square off from Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
This is a non-conference matchup that points to a potential smackdown in favor of the LSU Tigers.
LSU is 2-1 on the year and avenged its Week 1 neutral field loss to USC (27-20) with a 44-21 victory over Nicholls State and a 36-33 comeback thriller at South Carolina last week. The Tigers finished last year 10-3 with a Reliaquest Bowl victory against Wisconsin (35-31).
UCLA is 1-1 this season and was routed at home, 42-13, on Peacock last week by Indiana following a bye week and its comeback win at Hawaii (16-13). The Bruins are in the first season under head coach Deshaun Foster after an 8-5 year and a Starco Brand LA Bowl win over Boise State (35-22).
NBC Sports has all the latest info and analysis you need, including how to tune in for kickoff, odds from BetMGM, player news and updates, and of course our predictions and best bets for the game from our staff of experts.
Listen to the B1G Talk podcast with Todd Blackledge and Noah Eagle for the most compelling storylines across all of college football, with the biggest teams on the rise and the latest rankings!
Game Details and How to watch UCLA vs. LSU
· Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
· Time: 3:30 PM EST
· Site: Tiger Stadium
· City: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
· TV/Streaming: ABC / ESPN
Want to check out the other games on the College Football schedule this week? We’ve got you covered right here on NBC Sports with all the matchup, venue, game-time and TV/streaming info so you won’t miss any of the action!
Latest Game odds for LSU vs. UCLA - Week 4
The latest odds as of Friday morning:
· Moneyline: LSU -2000, UCLA +1000
· Spread: LSU -22.5 (-105)
· Total: 56.5 points
*odds courtesy of BetMGM
The odds for this game total opened at 58.5 but has moved down two points due to people’s attitude towards UCLA’s offense. The Bruins have squeezed out 16 points at Hawaii and 13 points hosting Indiana. A trip to Death Valley is a challenging task, even in the afternoon.
Listen to the Bet the Edge podcast as hosts Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick provide listeners with sharp actionable insight, market analysis and statistical data to help bettors gain more information before placing their wagers. So, whether you’re targeting spreads and totals, looking for value in futures markets or circling player props, give their podcast a listen to give you that extra edge.
NBC Sports Bet Best Bet
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) has the following best bets for Saturday’s matchup between the LSU Tigers and UCLA Bruins:
“The LSU Tigers are very capable of rolling the UCLA Bruins here by three-plus touchdowns and a spread of -24.5 seems fishy with the talent dispensary. However, the best bet in this game is getting in and out.
UCLA hasn’t had much going right for them in either game and had very slow starts in the first half. The Bruins started the season with a goose egg (0 points) in the 1st Half at Hawaii and with a week off and extra prep time, they scored a whole 7 points in the 1st Half at home versus Indiana.
LSU’s first-half spread is -14 and that’s a key number. LSU has scored 10, 23, and 16 points in the first half of its three games this year and has found success scoring in non-conference home games.
LSU scored 17, 42, 38, 35, 14, and 23 first-half points in its six non-conference home games dating back to the start of 2023. I would target LSU -14 in the first half or a Team Total OVER on the Tigers in the first 15 or 30 minutes.”
From the Trading Desk at BetMGM courtesy of John Ewing: Week 4 Highlights
“USC-Michigan and Tennessee-Oklahoma are going to have the most action on Saturday. The book is going to need both dogs here. Michigan and Oklahoma could determine our whole Saturday.” - Seamus Magee, Trading Manager, BetMGM
Most bet Overs (tickets)
1. Illinois-Nebraska 42.5
2. Marshall-Ohio State 52.5
3. Baylor-Colorado 50.5
Most bet Unders (tickets)
1. Tennessee-Oklahoma 57.5
2. USC-Michigan 44
3. NC State-Clemson 44.5
Most bet underdogs to win (tickets)
1. Michigan +170
2. Illinois +260
3. Oklahoma +225
College Football talk is taking over Bet the Edge every Thursday throughout the season. Bet the EDGE is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Vaughn Dalzell, Eric Froton, and Brad Thomas’ insights Thursdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Quarterback matchup for LSU vs. UCLA
LSU: Garrett Nussmeier has thrown for 10 touchdowns to 2 interceptions on the season for 895 yards and a 69.8 completion percentage. The Tigers’ junior busted onto the scene in the Reliquest Bowl win last year over Wisconsin (395 pass yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT).
UCLA: Ethan Garbers has a 54.1 completion percentage for the Bruins in two games, plus 409 yards and 1 touchdown to 3 interceptions. Garbers also leads the team in rushing with 68 yards on 14 carries. He threw for 1,136 passing yards and 11 touchdowns to 3 interceptions last year.
Bruins vs. Tigers player news & recent stats
- UCLA’s offense has converted 28.5% of its third downs so far this season (6/21), while the defense has permitted a 100-percent scoring rate for opponents in the red zone (8-for-8).
- The Bruins have allowed 267 passing yards per game, which is 112th, and allow 6.4 yards per completion (64th).
- LSU’s Kyren Lacy has scored five touchdowns through three games so far and is two touchdowns away from his career-high of 7 scores set a year ago. Lacy’s 17 receptions are a team-high and he should see a fair amount of targets versus UCLA’s porous pass defense.
- The Tigers rank 118th with 26 penalties through three games and their 71.6 penalty yards are 106th.
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
· Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
· Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
· Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
· Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
· Eric Froton (@CFFroton)
