The LSU Tigers and USC Trojans will each be playing their first game of the season on Sunday, September 1st. This game will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and televised on ABC.

ABC will be handling the television broadcast as the LSU Tigers and USC Trojans kick off their seasons at 7:30 ET on Sunday, September 1st. The game is being played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, and even though USC is technically the home team, this is a neutral-site matchup. The over/under line is currently 64.5 points, and LSU is the -4.5-point favorite. The money line odds are -191 for LSU and +155 for USC.

LSU Tigers vs USC Trojans

LSU Records And Recent Play

USC Records And Recent Play

LSU Offense Breakdown

LSU’s offense was exceptional last season, averaging 45.5 points per game, the 2nd best figure in the country. Their success was driven by a high-powered passing attack that averaged 339 yards per game, ranking 3rd nationally. The Tigers were also the top-ranked team in third down conversion percentage (54.6%) and led the nation in passer rating at 135.

Heading into the season, LSU’s quarterback room is headlined by Garrett Nussmeier, who threw for 592 yards and four touchdowns last season. Nussmeier has the 9th best odds to win the Heisman Trophy (+1733). The Tigers also brought in AJ Swann from Vanderbilt, who threw for 1457 yards last season. In the backfield, LSU returns Josh Williams and has added transfer running back Skip Velotta. The Tigers also have high expectations for wide receiver CJ Daniels, who had 1067 receiving yards last season.

USC Offense Breakdown

USC’s offense was one of the most potent in the country last season, averaging 41.8 points per game, thanks in large part to their strong passing attack. The Trojans averaged 333 passing yards per game, ranking 4th in the nation, and their quarterbacks combined for a passer rating of 120, which was the 3rd best in college football. USC also excelled in their completion percentage, finishing 7th in the country at 68.7%.

Heading into this season, USC’s quarterback room includes Miller Moss, who threw for 681 yards and seven touchdowns last year, and Jayden Maiava, a transfer from UNLV who threw for 3083 yards and 17 touchdowns. Maiava’s passer rating last season was 95.6. The Trojans are also looking to Jo’quavious Marks, who rushed for 573 yards last season at 4.7 yards per attempt. USC’s passing game ranked 3rd in the country in passer rating last season.

LSU Team Defense

LSU’s defense allowed 28 points per game last season, ranking them 67th in the nation. They had trouble stopping the run, giving up 162.2 rushing yards per game, which placed them 108th nationally. In the passing game, the Tigers allowed 255.9 yards per game, putting them 154th in the country. Opposing quarterbacks completed 62.3% of their passes against LSU last season.

LSU Team Defense

USC’s defense struggled last season, allowing 34.4 points per game, which ranked 95th in the nation. They had a tough time stopping the run, giving up 188 rushing yards per game (148th), and their pass defense was equally problematic, allowing 246.4 passing yards per game (137th). Opposing quarterbacks completed 64.1% of their passes and had a combined passer rating of 103.3 for the season.

LSU vs USC Trends

• Across their three previous road games, LSU has an ATS mark of 1-2. Their straight up record in these matchups was 1-2 while averaging 42 points per game.
• In their last three games at home, the USC Trojans have a straight up record of 1-2 while going 1-2 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 32 points per game in these contests.
• As the betting underdog, the USC Trojans have an ATS mark of just 4-6 in their last ten games. USC posted a straight up mark of 1-9 in these matchups.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the favorite, LSU has an ATS mark of 7-3 while going 9-1 straight up.

Tigers vs Trojans Prediction

USC is the +4.5 point underdog at home in their week one matchup against LSU. We have USC winning straight-up, with a projected final score of 36-27.

With the over/under line set at 64.5 points, our projection of 63 total points suggests that taking the under is the best play. For USC vs. LSU, we recommend taking USC to win and going with the under on the point total.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.