LSU Tigers vs USC Trojans Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 09/01/2024

Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Sunday, September 1, 2024

Venue:  Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV

Where to Watch:  ABC

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  LSU -4.5, USC +4.5; Over/Under:  63.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  LSU -4.5, USC +4.5; Over/Under:  63.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  LSU -4.5, USC +4.5; Over/Under:  63.5 points

LSU Tigers:  0-0 (0-0) (SEC)

USC Trojans:  0-0 (0-0) (Big Ten)

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LSU Tigers:  N/A

USC Trojans:  N/A

LSU finished last season with a 10-3 record overall and they had a 6-2 record in their conference games too.  They were 7-0 in their home games, 2-2 in their road games, and they were also 1-1 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be at a neutral site for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 45.5 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 28 points per game. Their offense also averaged 543.5 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 416.6 yards per game. Jayden Daniels led the team in passing yards with 3812, Jayden Daniels led the team in rushing yards with 1134, and Malik Nabers led the team in receiving yards with 1569.

 

 

 

USC finished last season with an 8-5 record overall and they had a 5-4 record in their conference games too.  They were 4-3 in their home games, 3-2 in their road games, and they were also 1-0 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be at a neutral site for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 41.8 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 34.4 points per game. Their offense also averaged 467.6 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 432.8 yards per game. Caleb Williams led the team in passing yards with 3633, Marshawn Lloyd led the team in rushing yards with 820, and Tahj Washington led the team in receiving yards with 1062.

The current betting odds have USC listed as a 4.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. USC wasn't great in their games last season with their 8-5 record overall and their 5-4 conference record which really fell below the mark. Meanwhile, LSU had a much better season with their 10-3 record overall and their 6-2 conference record, but they failed to make the SEC Championship so their season was also considered a failure. Now these two teams are both going to look very different this season with both of them losing their starting QB's to the NFL along with a lot of other key players in the starting lineup. Both of these teams had great offenses last season, averaging 40+ points per game, and neither team is going to struggle on offense here with these two head coaches in charge, even with the new faces on offense. The problem for both of these teams has been defense though, both teams averaging 28+ points against per game last season, even though both have a lot of talented defenders. USC has acknowledged the bad defense though and they have brought in some new defensive minds who are going to help this defense improve this season. This game could easily turn into a shootout with these two offenses so it is best to take the points in what could be a back and forth game here, but the moves made on defense by USC this off-season also give them the edge in this one. The best way to place a bet here is on USC to cover the spread in this game. 

LSU USC Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Sunday, September 1, 2024 (7:30 pm ET start time) is USC 49 LSU 45.

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LSU Tigers: 3-7 ATS in the first quarter of their last 10 games. 4-6 (-11.50 units) on the first half moneyline in their last 10 games. 12-1 to the over in their last 13 games. 

USC Trojans: 3-1 ATS in the first quarter of their last 4 games. 3-2 (+1 unit) on the first quarter moneyline in their last 5 road games. 10-3 to the over in their last 13 games.

LSU Tigers:  M. Frazier (OL) - Ankle. C. Hilton (WR) - Ankle. W. Weeks (LB) - Foot. J. Watkins (WR) - Foot. S. Ryan (SAF) - Hamstring.

USC Trojans:  None.

"You have to execute on a high level in an opener." - Brian Kelly on the team’s mindset coming into this season opener.

"I'm excited he's going to be here more, and we'd be crazy not to take advantage of having him around. Whether it's an official role or not, he's made it very clear that we've got a good open line of communication." - Lincoln Riley on Pete Carroll coming into this new college football season.

WR Daniels, CJ 

WR Hilton Jr., Chris 

WR Lacy, Kyren 

TE Taylor, Mason 

QB Nussmeier, Garrett 

RB Williams, Josh 

WR Robinson, Duce

WR Lane, Ja'Kobi 

WR Branch, Zachariah 

WR Lemon, Makai 

TE McRee, Lake 

QB Moss, Miller 

RB Marks, Woody 

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Coaches:

LSU Tigers: Brian Kelly (3rd season)

USC Trojans: Lincoln Riley (3rd season)