LSU (0-0) vs USC (0-0)
Game Info: Sunday, September 1, 2024 at 7:30 pm (Allegiant Stadium)
Betting Odds: LSU -4.5 / USC +4.5 --- Over/Under: 65.5
The USC vs LSU Game Preview
Its Sunday Night College football "the Day After", we have the USC Trojans and the LSU Tigers are facing off on Sunday in college football at Allegiant Stadium. So, here's our prediction for the USC vs LSU game. Let's analyze it from a betting angle and figure out the top pick between USC and LSU.
Matchup/League Facts
LSU ranked 1st among FBS teams for H2 points per game last season (22.7).
LSU ranked 2nd among FBS teams for Q3 points per game last season (10.9).
USC ranked 6th among FBS teams for Q1 points per game last season (10.7).
USC ranked T6th among FBS teams for H2 points per game last season (18.3).
The USC Trojans Team Preview
USC had some high expectations in the 2023 season and failed to meet most of them with a relatively tepid 8-5 overall record. The Trojans went 5-4 in a competitive Pac-12, finishing around the middle of the standings. The good news is that USC won their Holiday Bowl appearance 42-28 versus Louisville.
So, Coach Lincoln Riley is gonna give it his all to live up to those big preseason expectations in 2024, as he enters his third season leading the team. He's got a couple of new defensive coordinators on board, but hey, OC Josh Henson is back for his third season too. Things are gonna feel different this year with all the changes, especially now that USC is officially in the Big Ten Conference. It's gonna be intense!
Facts that say USC Trojans could win
USC has won each of its last seven season openers.
LSU has lost five of its last seven season openers as a favorite.
LSU has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four season openers.
The underdog has covered the spread in each of USC's last three games.
The LSU Tigers Team Preview
Over on the Tigers’ side, they had quite a few successes in 2023 mixed in with some letdowns. LSU managed a 10-3 overall run with a 6-2 SEC record. That would put the Tigers in third place among West Division teams behind Alabama and Ole Miss. LSU won the ReliaQuest Bowl 35-31 over Wisconsin to finish strong.
So, the Tigers are mixing things up with their coordinators in 2024, but hey, head coach Brian Kelly is sticking around for his third season. Word on the street is that LSU is gonna be a top-notch team this year, with the defense leveling up and the offense staying solid. Once they get through that tough USC game, the rest of the schedule seems pretty friendly (well, at least on paper).
Facts that say LSU Tigers could win
LSU has won eight of its last nine games against non-conference opponents.
USC has lost each of its last five games against AP-ranked teams.
USC has failed to cover the spread in 10 of its last 11 games at neutral venues.
LSU has covered the spread in six of its last seven games as a favorite.
The USC vs LSU Game Prediction
The Pick: LSU Tigers -2.5
I’ll lean toward LSU. That said, this should be a pretty great matchup and a top-tier highlight of the Week 1 slate. The Tigers should have their sights set on winning double-digit games, and it’s an achievable goal—especially with a statement victory in this opener. The offense should once again be great (even with the losses of elite receivers like Malik Cabers and Brian Thomas), even if they don’t reach last year’s lofty heights.
When it comes to defense, we got to focus on shutting down that run game. The Tigers have been letting through more than 2,000 rushing yards for the past couple of seasons, and that's just not gonna fly if they wanna reach their goals. But hey, the team's got the players and skills to turn things around in 2024. It's gonna be a challenge from the get-go, but I reckon the Tigers can step up and make it happen. Either way, it's gonna be a blast to watch!
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