LSU will face USC for just the third time in program history on Sunday night. The two previous meetings came in 1979 and 1984, with the programs splitting at 1-1.
These schools may be on opposite ends of the country, but they aren’t so different right now. Both programs are hoping to replace Heisman quarterbacks with a seamless transition to fourth-year players. Both head coaches are also counting on new DCs to debut a revamped defense.
If those things happen, either program could be contending for a playoff spot in November. But the first step on that journey is getting a win on Sunday night.
All eyes will be on this one. It’s one of just a few top 25 matchups in week one and it gets the standalone spotlight in the Sunday slot. That shouldn’t be a shock to either side given the history of these schools.
Here are five things to know about the Trojans before the showdown with LSU.
D’Anton Lynn brings hope to the defensive side of the ball
USC’s defensive struggles are no secret. Subpar defensive play wasted two elite years from QB Caleb Williams and prevented the Trojans from competing at the top of their conference.
Many wanted Lincoln Riley to move on from Alex Grinch after 2022, but Riley gave Grinch one more shot. It didn’t go well.
USC’s defense finished 105th in SP+ and ranked 121st in scoring defense. In 2022, the Trojans allowed 29.2 points per game, which ranked 94th nationally.
Those numbers won’t cut it, especially with the move to the Big Ten. Riley went across town to hire D’Anton Lynn from UCLA. Lynn rebuilt UCLA’s defense into a top-20 unit and brings some NFL experience too.
If Lynn can produce anything close to a top-50 defense at USC in year one, 2024 should be considered a success on that side of the ball.
Transfer additions expected to elevate the secondary
USC was plagued by explosive plays last year, especially through the air. The Trojans allowed 71 passes of 20+ yards. It wasn’t the defense’s only issue, but it’s hard for any component to work when that many big plays are allowed.
Riley and Lynn hit the portal hard, landing several key players in the secondary. Cornerback John Humphrey and safety Kamari Ramsey come with Lynn from UCLA. Both were among the top DBs in their conference last year and are familiar with Lynn’s system.
USC also added CB DeCarlos Richardson from Mississippi State and S Akili Arnold from Oregon State.
All four of those transfers are expected to be difference makers and the secondary could be the strength of the defense in Lynn’s first year.
Hopes are high for Miller Moss at QB
No head coach in the country has had more recent success with QBs than Lincoln Riley. He coached two Heisman winners at Oklahoma and had another one at USC with Caleb Williams. Now, Williams is off to the NFL and Riley is looking for his next star QB.
Miller Moss was officially named the starter last week and there’s hope he can emerge as one of the top QBs in the Big Ten.
Moss made a strong first impression in USC’s bowl win. He threw 6 TDs along with 372 yards while averaging 13.5 adjusted yards per attempt. It’s hard to ask for a debut to go much better.
This is different, though. The stakes are higher. Moss is QB1, but that means he gets the pressure that comes with it.
Blake Baker and LSU will play an aggressive style of defense and this will be Moss’s first time seeing SEC speed.
Moss is good enough to take advantage of a rebuilding LSU defense, but there are some questions too.
They are looking for breakouts at offensive skill positions
Williams isn’t the only loss on USC’s offense. The Trojans are looking to replace the bulk of production at the skill spots, too.
1,000-yard receiver Tahj Washington is gone. So is star RB Marshawn Lloyd. The depth at WR is taking a hit too with Mario Williams, Brendan Rice, and Dorian Singer all moving on.
Mississippi State transfer Woody Marks slides in at RB. He doesn’t have the same star power as Lloyd, but he’s a veteran who can get the job done.
A lot of the attention is centered on Zechariah Branch, a five-star recruit who was one of the sport’s top return men in 2023. Riley is counting on Branch to make an equal impact on offense with another year of development.
Sunday night could be a true breakout performance for Branch if LSU’s secondary doesn’t take a step forward.
Players to watch
We’ve already mentioned a few, but here are the USC players to keep an eye on Sunday night.
- WR Zechariah Branch: After catching 31 balls for 320 yards in 2023, Branch is hoping for a 1,000 yard campaign this fall. If USC finds a way to get Branch in space with the ball, good things will happen for the Trojans offense.
- DB Kamari Ramsey: After transferring across town from UCLA, Ramsey has a chance to be All-Big Ten this year. He’ll have his hands full making sure a speedy LSU WR group doesn’t get behind the defense.
- LB Mason Cobb: USC returns its tackles leader in Cobb. That should help provide stability to a defense in the midst of a transition.
- DL Bear Alexander: USC needs to be a lot better up front and that’s especially important against LSU’s offensive line. Alexander needs to have a big day if USC hopes to remain competitive.
- QB Miller Moss: We’ve already mentioned him, but Moss is the biggest variable here. If he lives up to the hype, this will be a four-quarter ball game. If he struggles, LSU can take advantage and make a statement win.
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