LSU football enters the new season with high expectations, unhappy with consecutive 10-win seasons in head coach Brian Kelly’s first two years.
The quest to improve on those outputs and push for a spot in the new 12-team College Football Playoff begins on Sunday as LSU faces USC at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Here’s how The Reveille Sports Staff predicted the upcoming game.
Jason Willis, Sports Editor | @JasonWillis4
These are two exceedingly similar teams – longtime backup quarterbacks finally getting their time to shine, revamped defenses and an unproven cast of offensive weapons.
Lincoln Riley’s offense will severely test an LSU defense that bent, broke and did just about everything in between last year. I think this game could expose some serious growing pains, potentially on both offense and defense as quarterback Garrett Nussmeier settles into commanding the offense full-time.
However, I think the difference is the pressure LSU generates on defense. Not only do the Tigers have a talented cast of edge rushers, but new coordinator Blake Baker’s defense designs pressure with creative blitzes that come from all over. That will overwhelm a USC offensive line that has little experience together and make new quarterback Miller Moss’ job that much harder.
Prediction: LSU 35-31 USC
Lizzie Falcetti, Deputy Sports Editor | @lizziefalcetti
This game will be close.
USC and LSU will rely on their offensive styles to create explosive plays. With Lincoln Riley’s air-raid offense and the Tigers’ traditional pocket-passer at quarterback, this battle should go back and forth in scoring.
But Brian Kelly said it best: “openers are difficult.” There’s always so much unpredictability in week one, especially with new starting quarterbacks.
USC is always fast, and LSU’s defensive backs will be key in not letting the Trojans take this game. This matchup will be a different game style for LSU’s defense who are used to SEC offenses that rely on physicality.
I think LSU will come out on top in this close battle, breaking their four-game losing streak in season openers.
An LSU loss in Vegas would not stay in Vegas, as every game counts toward the 12-team playoff. It’s crucial the Tigers hit big this weekend.
Prediction: LSU 45-42 USC
Tyler Harden, Senior Sports Reporter | @ttjharden8
LSU hasn’t won its season opening game since 2019, when the Tigers won the National Championship, and Joe Burrow was under center.
Both LSU and USC find themselves in similar positions, as both teams are replacing Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and USC’s Miller Moss both proved themselves in their respective bowl games, but it’s a matter of building off that momentum this offseason.
The Tigers are coming in with arguably one of the best offensive lines in the country, and USC made some additions from the transfer portal to its defense. That may just be the swing factor: how long they’ve been together.
Both teams lost key players, but with Nussmeier having been in the system for three years and several key returners around him such as Kyren Lacy, Will Campbell and Emery Jones, familiarity works in LSU’s favor. I think the Tigers start the season 1-0 for the first time since 2019.
Prediction: LSU 31-21 USC
Ava Hebert, Senior Sports Reporter | @avahebe4
After both LSU and USC lost Heisman-winning quarterbacks in the 2023 season, it’s safe to say that the 21 other players on the field will play a larger role than usual.
Although Garrett Nussmeier and Miller Moss are likely excited for the opportunity to prove themselves, LSU’s new and improved defense will be the difference maker in the end.
In addition to this, the Tigers have one of the best – if not the best – offensive lines in the country, making it hard for USC’s defense to get a pass rush on Nussmeier. With the variety of factors benefiting LSU, the Tigers will finally break their first-game curse, going into the first home game of the season with a win.
Prediction: LSU 35-28 USC
Tre Allen, Sports Reporter | @treday0314
There will be no lack of offense in this game. LSU is taking its No. 1 ranked offense from a season ago to Las Vegas to take on another top 10 offense in the USC Trojans.
Both teams lost a ton of key players, but some remain. LSU returns with Will Campbell, Harold Perkins, Emery Jones, Kyren Lacy and more. As for the Trojans, Zachariah Branch is looking to surge for his sophomore season as his new quarterback, Miller Moss, is taking control.
This game is going to come down to which defense can get a stop first. LSU is coming off an abysmal season with its defense, but it’s looking to turn back around. I believe the aggressiveness and new scheme by defensive coordinator Blake Baker will be the deciding factor.
Sending more pressure from either the linebackers or defensive backs will put pressure on a young quarterback for the Trojans and speed up their offense. The offense for the Tigers will continue to be dynamic and put up points in this game.
Prediction: LSU 34-27 USC
Cabe Bond, Sports Columnist | @PrezBond
The Tigers are going to be clawing for a week one win; over the past four seasons, LSU has started their campaigns with a loss. Fortunately for them, USC appears to be its best chance at snapping the streak.
How? The Tigers are matched up well to mitigate the Trojans loaded defensive line. In fact, at its core, LSU is perfectly designed to be USC’s kryptonite. Should the Trojans decide to keep their 3-4 base and have edge Jamil Muhammad drop into coverage, LSU still has the physical edge to win the matchup.
Nearly every one of Garrett Nussmeier’s targets should be a secure body. Wide receivers Kyren Lacy and CJ Daniels are both strong targets. Tight ends Mason Taylor and Ka’Morreun Pimpton both have a finesse element to their game, making it nearly impossible for them to be covered by a linebacker alone.
Should the Trojans decide to send pressure or even dial up the occasional blitz, the Tigers are still more than equipped to minimize that. LSU’s offensive line has been revered as one of the best – if not the best – in the nation. Adding to that is running back Josh Williams, who’s one of the better blockers at his position.
That’s not just offensively speaking either; the Tigers should be able to dominate on both sides of the line of scrimmage. USC’s inexperienced offensive line most likely won’t have answers for LSU’s veteran pass-rushers.
However, regardless of defensive performance, the Tigers have a golden opportunity to exit week one with a win. If their offense is able to target key matchups and execute well, then LSU will be hosting Nicholls State with a win already under their belt.
Prediction: LSU 55-34 USC
Ethan Stenger, Sports Reporter | @itsethanstenger
Entering Sunday night’s heavyweight bout in Las Vegas, the Tigers and Trojans are in very similar situations.
Even when blessed with Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams’ Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback play, neither team made the postseason over the past two years, primarily due to their lackluster defenses.
Without Williams and Daniels, two generational talents who were taken in this year’s NFL draft as the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks, USC and LSU are now ushering in a new era of quarterback play: Miller Moss and Garrett Nussmeier are set to lead the charge for their respective teams. Both have the talent around them to put together potential Heisman Trophy-winning seasons.
While both sides have done what they can in the offseason to improve their defenses, expect a shootout at Allegiant Stadium.
The Tigers have struggled in their season opener since their legendary undefeated National Championship season in 2019. However, as the Trojans find themselves in the same boat as LSU does this year, it’s not out of the question that the purple and gold escape week one with a win this time.
The Tigers will have more returning starters than USC coming into Sunday’s matchup, and continuity is key in these early, razor-thin top-25 matchups.
LSU will come home to face Nicholls the following week battle-tested and 1-0.
Prediction: LSU 35-27 USC
Martin Sullivan, Sports Reporter | @marty_sulli
Yes, LSU and USC enter 2024 with similar story arcs, concerns and strengths. However, not only did LSU have less ground to make up, the changes they’ve made have been more significant.
Promising additions on both sides of the ball and some statement hires on defense give reason to be excited about this season. Losing three flashy stars in the first round of the NFL draft is not easy to transition away from. However, Garrett Nussmeier will have a plethora of weapons at his disposal and three years of experience in Baton Rouge. The offense may not look the same, but there’s no reason it can’t deliver.
The two main concerns for LSU are how the defense will perform and how Nussmeier will play in his regular season starting debut. I believe the reason LSU wins this game is also the reason these concerns don’t become Achilles’ heels: the trenches. What helps a first-time starting quarterback succeed? His offensive line. What can ease the stress of a secondary? The defensive line.
Dominating in the trenches is a reliable way to maintain control of a football game, and should LSU achieve this, as well as limit turnovers along the way, that four-year losing streak will vanish.
Prediction: LSU 38-30 USC
