Talking season is officially over, and the loaded week one of the college football season is finally here. To preview LSU and USC’s highly anticipated matchup is to examine two programs tied at the hip with a lot to prove in 2024. Both head coaches have said all the right things, exhibiting confidence in some areas while avoiding wholesale declarations. Another one of the many similarities between the two is they both know their success ultimately boils down to improved defenses, which brings us to our first point.
LSU vs. USC Preview
D’Anton Lynn’s Dominance
USC swiped the 34-year-old D’Anton Lynn from UCLA to get its defense back on track. It should come as no surprise that Lynn was a hot commodity after taking a defense that was 102nd in total defense in 2022 to 10th in 2023. It’s impressive to take such a significant step statistically, but it’s even more remarkable to see his defense in action.
Every coach in America preaches playing “fast and physical”, but of course not every team does it. Lynn’s defense swarmed to the ball last year. There was patience but no hesitation. They aggressively gang-tackled and blitzed freely, resulting in finishing third nationally in tackles for loss in 2023. Lynn’s simulated blitzes seemed to be even more problematic. Several players approached the line in his 4-2-5 defense, often resulting in only four players rushing, but the offense can’t afford to guess wrong on which four.
Lynn led a formidable run defense at UCLA, and he inherited the ideal defensive tackle for that task in Bear Alexander. The 315-pound Alexander takes space but also offers a quick first step, resulting in leading USC in quarterback hurries in 2023. Lynn also brought cornerback John Humphrey and safety Kamari Ramsey with him from UCLA. Both bring length and ball skills and help their new teammates learn Lynn’s scheme.
Life After Jayden Daniels
After waiting patiently for three years, Garrett Nussmeier will enter the season for the first time as LSU’s starting quarterback. Nussmeier has a live arm and is thought of as a gunslinger, but much of that reputation is built from small sample sizes in games with nothing to lose. Reckless or not, the Tigers don’t plan to put the entire game on Nussmeier’s shoulders.
All-American left tackle Will Campbell was emphatic about establishing the run in a press conference earlier this week. “We’re going to run the ball…I’ll tell everybody right now, we are going to run the football,” said Campbell. LSU’s biggest advantage on paper is its offensive line featuring two potential first-round picks, Campbell and Emery Jones, against the Trojan defensive line. Establishing the run takes the pressure off Nussmeier and protects the Tiger defense.
Although the personnel at USC is different than what Lynn had at UCLA, his Bruins were opportunistic and did not give up many big plays. Nussmeier will need to prove patient and take what he’s given. Kyren Lacy is the star of LSU’s receiving group, but shiftier receivers like Zavion Thomas and Kyle Parker could be the difference in this game. One missed tackle could prove costly for the Trojan defense.
The Lincoln Riley Effect
Could Miller Moss be Lincoln Riley’s latest Heisman winner? Possibly, but an LSU/USC preview wouldn’t be complete without Heisman talk. Chances are Moss will be highly productive. Riley’s offenses have never finished lower than 10th in total offense in the past five seasons.
Schemes are great, but a bigger part of Riley’s success is the skill he acquires. Sophomore wide receiver Zachariah Branch’s 2023 numbers might not jump off the page, but his athleticism jumps off the screen. The 5’10” speedster is a threat from anywhere on the field. Duce Robinson and Ja’Kobi Lane are giants on the outside who have the potential to provide matchup problems to an unproven LSU secondary.
It will be interesting to see how LSU’s Blake Baker attacks the USC defense, but pressure will be involved. Baker’s Missouri defense did a better job of disguising blitzes than LSU’s predictable 2023 defense. Harold Perkins should impact the game as a pass rusher, but he could also create opportunities for another back-seven player like Major Burns from the star position. Defensive end Sai’vion Jones had an impressive fall camp and could significantly decrease the need for extra rushers.
How it Plays Out
Both teams will put up points. Teams don’t add completely new staff to one side of the ball and have it all figured out in game one. Besides, both offensive coaches have shown the ability to recruit, develop, and execute offensively at a high level. The team that can avoid fundamental failures will thrive. Penalties, missed tackles, and blown coverages are an annual week one plague. Which team will be better prepared?
As always, turnovers will play a part. In a game featuring Branch and Thomas, special teams could also loom critical in this game. Both are unpredictable, so our LSU/USC preview is going who seems to have an advantage up front. Despite Lynn’s track record, he’ll have to commit so much attention to stopping LSU’s running game that the game will become easier for Nussmeier. Play-action passing and big, athletic tight ends over the middle will help ease Nussmeier into the game and help LSU to its first season-opening win in five years.
