LIVE Game Thread: Southern Cal vs. LSU
LSU takes on USC Sunday night as the primetime matchup for Labor Day Weekend as two Top 25 teams tangle in Las Vegas. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:44 p.m. CT on ABC.
Brian Kelly’s Tigers are coming off two 10-win seasons to lead off his tenure and now, the next step is winning the program’s first season opener since 2019. No. 13 LSU is facing No. 23 USC, who has plenty of new faces in the fold.
“I think you have to keep in mind there are a number of players on this team that have experienced two openers where they weren’t successful, including myself,” Kelly told reporters Thursday before the team departed. “There’s a resolve there you wanna be prepared in any way to see that you come out victorious. Their preparation has been outstanding, they’ve prepared, now they know they gotta perform. I think they’re gonna draw on experiences and that’s what I mean by battle scars. Battle scars are things you can really pull on that are gonna be helpful for you in allowing you to be your best when your best is needed.”
With the return of college football, LSU fans are back in The Bengal Tiger’s weekly “LIVE Thread” to chat about the game and more. To join in, click the link below or head to The Ponderosa message board on The Bengal Tiger.
For live stat and scoring updates, refresh this story during the Southern Cal vs. LSU game.
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How to watch LSU vs. USC in the Vegas Kickoff Classic
TV: ABC or the Watch ESPN app.
Radio: LSU Sports Radio Network
Time: 7:44 p.m. CT
Where: Allegiant Stadium
Odds for LSU vs. USC (Via FanDuel)
LSU is favored by 4.5 points and the over/under is set at 65.5. LSU is -182 and USC is -150 on the moneyline.
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier takes over for Heisman Trophy Winner Jayden Daniels, who headed off to the NFL after an electric season. The Tigers also break in new defensive coordinator Blake Baker and an entirely revamped assistant coaching staff on the defensive side. Co-offensive coordinators Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton take over the duties for Mike Denbrock, who left for Notre Dame.
“Excited about this matchup,” Kelly said. “Sunday Night Football. Las Vegas. A game that will be seen on ABC in primetime. Just a great showcase for college football and LSU in particular.”
“I think we have great leadership, guys that have experience, guys that hold each other accountable,” Kelly said. “They know what it’s like to play and win games. This is a team that knows what to do and how to do it.”
Kelly is 8-3 vs. USC. Kelly’s Notre Dame team played USC every year from 2010-2019 and then again in 2021. Kelly brings a 4-game winning streak against the Trojans into Sunday’s contest. This will serve as Kelly’s first head-to-head matchup against USC coach Lincoln Riley, who is also replacing a former Heisman Trophy winner in Caleb Williams with Miller Moss at quarterback.
