With eight seconds remaining and 10 points behind, the Tigers chances of victory became a fleeting thought.
Myles Brennan, then quarterback for LSU, launched a hail mary –
“And Mississippi State has pulled off an upset on the road!” The announcer’s voice rang through the hollow broadcast, piercing the fanbase’s heart.
Some decided this was a “National Championship hangover,” while others viewed this as the start to a bad season. However, nobody presumed that this game in 2020 would be the start of a years-long week one losing streak.
The following year, the Tigers would open their season on the road against UCLA, resulting in yet another loss.
After a heartbreaking 2021 season, which concluded with the C third most losses in school history, LSU had decided to reshape its identity. On Oct. 17, 2021, the university announced it reached a mutual parting agreement with then head coach Ed Orgeron. By the season’s conclusion, the Tigers were a shell of their former selves.
The team would announce Brian Kelly as its next head coach. While fans weren’t overwhelmingly excited, especially with how bare the team was entering the off-season, the program had a new identity – and one that was easy to rally behind.
Kelly’s tenure as head coach, so far, has been a major success. He’s produced back-to-back 10-win seasons, and led the Tigers to finishing 1ranked No. 17 & 13, respectively. Despite several hurdles, including a depleted roster his first season and a dubious defense in his second, he’s found ways to be successful.
However, the biggest hurdle Kelly now has to overcome is the program’s week one performances. He’s started 0-1 in each season with the Tigers, with both losses coming from a stacked Florida State team.
With kickoff drawing closer and closer, LSU will need to be exceptional against a tough USC team, especially if they want to turn the tables on their week one success.
The Tigers and Trojans are vaguely similar teams, but LSU should leave Las Vegas with a win if they attack these key matchups.
For starters, USC’s defense was objectively bad last year. While the Trojans moved on from former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, the program still has a lot of work ahead of them.
Their defense allowed 34.4 points per game last year, ranking them 121st out of 133 eligible D1 programs. To put that into perspective for LSU fans, the Tigers allowed 28.0 PPG, which ranked 82nd out of 133 eligible D1 programs.
LSU’s defense wasn’t good last year that’s a given. However, USC’s defense was significantly worse.
It’s worth noting both programs have taken a step forward, with the Tigers hiring of Blake Baker and the Trojans’ acquisition of D’anton Lynn. Ironically, both programs opted to hire from a conference rival. However, while both teams are headed in the right direction, the Trojans have a far greater distance to cover.
READ MORE: Starting on the right foot: Three key factors for LSU football in week one
USC’s defense had a lot of holes that had to be addressed. Five of their 11 starters are new transfers, with four being seniors— including three redshirt seniors.
On top of that, their passing defense has essentially been gutted. With the loss of Calen Bullock, the Trojans had three defensive back spots that needed to be filled. The program’s openings at starting cornerback, strong safety and free safety are all expected to be filled by incoming transfers.
The lack of chemistry within the defense, specifically their passing game, is going to be a major point of emphasis for LSU.
The Tigers starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is no stranger to picking apart defenses and should he play the way he did in the SEC Championship, USC will have no answer for the Tigers.
The Trojans play their best defense near the line of scrimmage, with a front four headlined by defensive tackle Bear Alexander. He’s expected to be a day one pick, and his three fellow lineman all have the potential to join him.
Defensive tackle Nate Clifton transferred in this year from Vanderbilt where he produced 5.5 sacks, including recording at least a half-sack in four consecutive games against Florida, Georgia, Ole Miss and Auburn.
Both of the Trojans defensive ends are on the cusp of being a relatively early pick. Anthony Lucas was the eighth-ranked defensive linemen in his class and is looking to break out this season. Opposite of him is edge Jamil Muhammad, who was arguably USC’s most productive player last year, recording 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
The Trojans have an incredibly talented defensive line, one that should be able to apply plenty of pressure this year. Unfortunately, the Tigers could be their kryptonite.
LSU’s offensive line is arguably the best in the nation. The starting tackles are both expected to be top-20 picks, with Will Campbell being hailed as a consensus top-10 pick.
The interior is equally as talented; offensive guards Miles Frazier and Garrett Dellinger are both expected to be mid-round selections in the NFL Draft. The offensive line’s weakest point is its new starting center, who is a 6-foot-6, 322 pound redshirt freshman, DJ Chester.
The offensive line is technically and physically sound. Every starter is at least 6-foot-5 and over 300 pounds. Even the depth is sound, with Weston Davis, Tyree Adams and Cohen Echols headlining the twos.
Brad Davis has built a wall with almost no cracks; if the Tigers can minimize the pass rush, USC’s defense would be stranded. In comparison, the Trojans’ offensive line might be the weakest spot of their offense.
USC has uncertainties at almost every position on their offensive line, excluding center.
Starting right tackle Mason Murphy recorded a 56.9 overall PFF grade last year, and beside him, starting right guard Alani Noa finished his debut with a 48.4 overall PFF grade. While Noa had limited snaps last year as a true freshman, his display was overall disappointing. The left side of their line isn’t much better either, with an inexperienced left tackle and inconsistent left guard.
The Tigers defensive line might not be as loaded as the Trojans, but they still have firepower. Harold Perkins is a threat wherever he lines up and pass-rushers Da’Shawn Womack and Bradyn Swinson both have highly anticipated 2024 campaigns. This means they have plenty of players to apply pressure to star quarterback Miller Moss.
LSU is facing a tough USC team, but the program should find success through mitigating its opponents defense’s strengths and exploiting the Trojans lack of defensive chemistry.
If the Tigers can take care of business offensively, they should be able to rely on their defensive pressure to disrupt Moss and decrease the efficiency of the run-game. And if Moss is unable to minimize the pressure he’s facing, the Tigers should leave Las Vegas with a solid victory – finally breaking their week one loss streak.
