Ed Orgeron details LSU's preparation for UCLA trip

The college football season is just around the corner. As LSU continues to prepare for the regular season, head coach Ed Orgeron is turning his attention to UCLA. LSU will face the Bruins in Los Angeles on Sept. 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Ed Orgeron detailed the preparation process over the next two weeks as the UCLA game approaches, including details on the daily schedule in an interview with LSU Sports media.

“Get back to the routine of going to school, get back in a game planning routine,” said Orgeron. “It’s going to tell the truth Monday, competition Tuesday, here we go. We’ve got a whole week to game plan UCLA, look at it, come in and have a mock scrimmage and then go and game plan again for UCLA. And head to Los Angeles on Thursday.”

2021 LSU outlook

LSU is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2020 campaign. The team will look to get back to its 2019 national championship form under Orgeron and a new group of stars.

Quarterback Myles Brennan went down with an injury during the preseason, opening the door for Max Johnson to emerge as the offensive leader. Tyrion Davis-Price and John Emery Jr. headline a deep running back room which runs behind a veteran offensive line. Kayshon Boutte and Brian Thomas Jr. are part of the wide receiver core which hopes to fill the gap left by Ja’Marr Chase.

The front seven complements a talented secondary on defense. Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. is the star of the show, looking to duplicate his 2019 season which featured six interceptions. Eli Ricks emerged as a second corner last season, and the team adds Georgia transfer Major Burns and Clemson transfer Mike Jones to the starting lineup, too.

UCLA scouting report

UCLA has struggled under former NFL coach Chip Kelly. The Bruins have not finished with a winning record in three seasons under Kelly, who finds himself on the hotseat.

The offense returns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and adds Michigan transfer Zach Charbonnet to the backfield. UCLA returns six of its top seven receivers and adds Texas A&M transfer Kam Brown this season.

The defense brings in transfers from Notre Dame, USC and Alabama to complement the returning players. Leading tackling Caleb Johnson returns after posting 44 tackles and six sacks with one interception last year. Defensive back Mo Osling looks to build on an impressive year with another big performance this season.