BATON ROUGE — LSU football is among the select few Power Four teams that will play two other Power Four teams in nonconference games this season.

The No. 16 Tigers (2-1) opened with a 27-20 loss to now No. 11 USC in Las Vegas. Three weeks later, Brian Kelly and LSU will host USC's crosstown rival in UCLA (1-1) inside Tiger Stadium this Saturday (2:30 p.m., ABC).

LSU completed a 17-point comeback last weekend at South Carolina to earn a wild, 36-33 victory and carry a much different outlook into this game than had it lost.

Speaking of outlook, UCLA's is one of embracing discomfort. The Bruins just got their doors blown by Indiana, 42-13, one of its worst home losses in program history.

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LSU football looks to correct 'blue zone' shortcomings against UCLA Bruins

The Tigers have had three trips inside what Kelly calls the "blue zone," which is inside the 5-yard line, that have come away scoreless. Two of those three came against South Carolina last Saturday.

What's concerning is quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who took great care of the ball through two games, threw an interception that thwarted one of those drives. Kelly talked earlier this week about if LSU finishes those series off the right way, the team isn't sweating getting out of Columbia with a victory.

Corrections and execution in the "blue zone" could allow LSU to grab the advantage against the Bruins, who have struggled to stop opponents.

What to know about UCLA

The Bruins are like LSU in that they have had struggles capping drives and establishing a solid run game. UCLA ranks 122nd in FBS with 83.5 rushing yards per game.

That hasn't helped transfer quarterback Ethan Garbers, who in his first two games in LA has had quite the time. Garbers is completing just 54% of his passes with a 1-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Faced with some pressure, UCLA's signal caller has had to get rid of the ball early and averages just 6.7 yards per pass downfield.

The Bruins' defense has been porous. Indiana's Kurtis Rourke passed for four TDs and 307 yards. UCLA did find some success in limiting the Hoosiers' run game, to 123 yards and 4.2 yards per rush.

LSU's Kyren Lacy, C.J. Daniels and Aaron Anderson will present a difficult task for the UCLA secondary, which hasn't had to match up receiving corps like LSU.

Will LSU fans see more of freshman RB Caden Durham?

Freshman running back Caden Durham had a breakout performance at South Carolina, scoring a pair of touchdowns on 11 carries for 98 yards.

Kelly was noncommittal this week when the Daily Advertiser asked whether Durham had done enough to be the starter for the foreseeable future. Kelly said Durham's vision and patience are things hat will be helpful in his pursuit of more playing time.

CADEN DURHAM After two TDs at South Carolina, did Caden Durham do enough to be LSU football's RB1?

LSU football vs UCLA score prediction

LSU 42, UCLA 24: Nussmeier cooks UCLA's defensive backfield for four TDs to pad and extend a lead all afternoon long inside Tiger Stadium.

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Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU football vs UCLA: Score prediction, scouting report