Greg McElroy picks LSU over USC

On Sunday, No. 13 LSU and No. 23 USC will meet in a highly-anticipated Week 1 showdown. Ahead of the game, ESPN’s Greg McElroy previewed the ranked matchup.

“LSU has also lost four straight season openers, which is tied with Nebraska for the longest active streak among Power Five conference teams. Gonna be interesting,” McElroy said. “Question No. 1: how will Blake Baker — that’s the new defensive coordinator for LSU — attack [USC quarterback] Miller Moss?”

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Baker should provide much-needed improvement to LSU’s defense this season. In 2023, the Tigers allowed 416.6 yards per game, which ranked 13th in the SEC. Further, they gave up 35 points five times in 13 games.

Meanwhile, Baker led Missouri’s defense only allowed 336.1 yards per game, which ranked fifth in the SEC. Now, Baker will aim to bring similar defensive success to LSU. McElroy believes Baker will put immense pressure on Miller Moss.

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“Blake Baker is going to be hyper aggressive,” McElroy said. “LSU has great athletes. I think they’re going to allow those great athletes to pin their ears back and get aggressive and kind of force the issue for Miller Moss, and maybe accelerate his decision making process, which might lead to a mistake or two.”

Which quarterback will have a breakout game?

In his three-year career at USC, Moss has seen limited action, normally playing second fiddle to Caleb Williams. However, when Moss has received opportunities to shine, he hasn’t allowed them to go to waste.

Most notably, Moss erupted in USC’s 42-28 win over Louisville in the Holiday Bowl last season. In the victory, Moss tallied 372 passing yards and a bowl-record six touchdowns while only throwing one interception.

Moss must carry this momentum into Sunday if he wants to boost USC to a triumph over LSU. Of course, not all of the responsibility falls on Moss.

“Can USC force some turnovers?” McElroy asked. “[LSU quarterback] Garrett Nussmeier‘s super talented… He’s played in 18 games over the course of his four years. He’s thrown for 1700 yards, 11 touchdowns — a lot of highlight reel moments. But, he does have seven interceptions.

“Seven interceptions in limited time, it’s not a great number. He’s going to try some things. He’s going to be aggressive, and I think USC needs to try to take advantage of his aggressiveness.”

With two relatively inexperienced quarterbacks squaring off, McElroy believes the game will come down to the wire.

“I’m taking LSU, but I think it’s going to be close,” McElroy said. “LSU is more equipped to be able to win those shootouts with a slightly more experienced quarterback in Garrett Nussmeier. So I’m taking LSU.

“I think they’ll get it done, but I expect this game to kind of come down to the wire, and it could be a scenario where whoever has the ball last ultimately wins.”

LSU and USC will clash at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. The game will be broadcast on ABC.