USC vs. LSU College Football Week 1 Preview and Best Bet

The Vegas Kickoff Classic is Back

The 2024 Vegas Kickoff Classic is set to be a significant event, marking the first meeting between USC head coach Lincoln Riley and LSU since their 2019 encounter.

Fans will remember how the Joe Burrow-led Tigers crushed Riley’s Oklahoma Sooners in the 2019 Peach Bowl. Two years later, Riley made the move to USC, leaving Oklahoma behind.

During the 2022 offseason, the LSU Tigers also experienced a coaching change, bringing in Brian Kelly from Notre Dame.

The Week 1 USC-LSU clash marks the return of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, last held in 2021 when BYU faced Arizona in the inaugural neutral-site game.

This will also be LSU’s third consecutive season opener played at a neutral site on a Sunday. In 2022, LSU faced Florida State in New Orleans, and the two teams met again in Orlando to start the 2023 season, with the Seminoles winning both matchups convincingly.

High Expectations for USC 

Lincoln Riley is under pressure to propel USC into the College Football Playoff and restore the program to its former glory by defeating top-tier teams. Despite defensive struggles, USC’s offense ranked 10th in the nation in total yards and 3rd in scoring last season.

Caleb Williams often pushed the offense to its limits, but the team faltered when they didn’t score at least 42 points, going 8-1 when they surpassed that number and 0-4 when they fell short.

Miller Moss, who threw for 372 yards and six touchdowns in the 42-28 Holiday Bowl victory over Louisville’s tough defense, is expected to step up as USC’s starting quarterback. If he falters, UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava has the potential to be the next standout QB under Riley.

Although top targets Tahj Washington and Brenden Rice are gone, Zachariah Branch, one of the nation’s most dynamic playmakers, along with TE Lake McRee, should help keep the offense explosive.

USC’s defense, however, remains a concern. New coordinator D’Anton Lynn is tasked with improving a unit that ranked 118th in scoring defense and 116th in total defense last season. The defensive line, led by Bear Alexander and Elijah Hughes, shows promise, and with the addition of top pass rusher Jamil Muhammad, the team has the talent to improve against the run.

Will the LSU Defense Improve?

LSU, under Brian Kelly, continues to field high-powered offenses. Last season, they finished No. 1 in total offense, and although they won’t replicate their 7,000-yard performance, the unit will still be formidable.

Garrett Nussmeier, a veteran who has seen limited action over the past three seasons, is ready to take the reins, with Vanderbilt transfer AJ Swann also in the mix. Kyren Lacy will be under pressure to step up as LSU’s leading receiver, following the departures of Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas to the NFL.

LSU’s offensive line is another strength, featuring NFL prospects like Will Campbell and Emery Jones. The running game will rely on Josh Williams, Kalen Jackson, and John Emery, supported by an elite offensive line, while top recruit Caden Durham may also see action.

Defensively, LSU has struggled against the run under Brian Kelly, giving up over 2,000 rushing yards in each of the last two seasons. New defensive coordinator Blake Baker, recruited from Missouri, aims to rectify this. The defensive line has the size and talent to improve, with players like Jacobian Guillory and Jalen Lee anchoring the interior.

In the secondary, LSU must improve after finishing with the second-worst pass defense in the SEC last season. With young, talented corners and key transfers, the unit needs to step up, particularly on third downs.

The Pick

While this game won’t feature Heisman Trophy winners Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, who were both top picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, it promises to be a high-scoring affair.

The total is set at 63.5, and despite key departures, the game could easily surpass that number. The quarterback matchup between Miller Moss of USC and Garrett Nussmeier of LSU may not have the same buzz, but it could still impact their Heisman chances.

Both USC and LSU struggled defensively last season, ranking near the bottom among Power-5 teams. As they enter the 2024 season, both teams have more questions than answers on that side of the ball. Check this contest out if you love games where you can see the ball being thrown down the field.

College Football Pick: Over 63.5 (-108) at Heritage Sports

Over 63.5 (-108)

Visit Site

*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.