Tag: Brian Kelly

Stock Up, Stock Down: LSU falls to USC, loses another season opener

Let’s look at who saw their stock rise and who saw their stock fall in the season-opening loss.

The 2024 football season is finally here. On Sunday night, No. 13 LSU kicked off the season against No. 23 USC in Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. After an entertaining game and a lead going into the fourth quarter, USC came out on top 27-20.

Let’s look at who saw their stock rise and who saw their stock fall in this game.

Stock Down: The streak continues

Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

This game went back and forth for four quarters as LSU looked to get their first season-opening win since 2019, but the streak continued after the Tigers lost to USC on a late field goal. [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] is now 0-3 in season openers while at LSU.

Stock Up: Kyren Lacy

Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

With the loss of [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] to the first round of the NFL Draft, LSU needed a new star wide receiver. There has been a lot of buzz during fall camp around how great Lacy has been. He got his season off to a great start tonight.

Stock Up: Blake Baker

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Hallelujah. Tiger fans you can rejoice. LSU has a defensive coordinator who is not afraid to send the house. The coverage was still rough at times but the front seven was flying all over the field.

Stock Up: Garrett Nussmeier

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The gunslinger made his second start for the Tigers tonight in a tough season-opening matchup. He showed his prowess as he was calm, cool, and collected in the face of the Trojan pass rush. He finished the game 29-for-38 with 304 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

Stock Down: 4th Quarter performance

Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Entering the fourth quarter, the Tigers had a 17-13 lead over the Trojans. LSU looked to close the game out and come up with their first season-opening win since 2019, but LSU was dominated in the final quarter. USC outgained the Tigers 179-66 and outscored LSU 14-3 to win the game.

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LSU WR Chris Hilton Jr. not expected to play against USC in season-opener

Chris Hilton Jr. is unlikely to play after he was listed as questionable throughout the week.

After being listed as questionable throughout the week by coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] as he dealt with a bone bruise, starting LSU receiver [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] did not dress ahead of Sunday night’s season opener and is not expected to play against USC.

Hilton was listed as a starter on the depth chart LSU released earlier Sunday. [autotag]Kyle Parker[/autotag], a redshirt freshman from Allen, Texas, is expected to make the start instead.

Entering his fourth season with the Tigers, Hilton battled injury early in his career but is coming off a career-best campaign. In 11 games, he started twice and finished the year with 225 yards and two touchdowns on 13 catches.

https://twitter.com/whalexander_/status/1830363574742700037

Hilton is expected to have a breakout season in 2024, but Parker, who appeared in four games but recorded no stats as a true freshman, seems to be in line to make his starting debut with the Tigers.

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LSU vs USC: Beware of overreactions from the Sunday night opener

Every year, college football’s Sunday night opener leads to overreactions. Be wary of making the same mistake tonight.

LSU is getting familiar with kicking off its season on Sunday. For a third straight year, the Tigers get the Sunday spotlight on Labor Day weekend.

It’s the only football game on TV. Viewer attention isn’t split. If you’re a college football fan, you’re probably watching this game.

When that spotlight comes, so does the media attention. With so much talk and narrative surrounding the game, Sunday night openers are ripe for overreaction. The winner will be considered a playoff contender while the loser faces “overrated” allegations.

In 2016, Texas opened its season on Sunday night against Brian Kelly’s Notre Dame. Texas won in what became the infamous “Texas is back game.”

A win over Notre Dame was a big deal for a struggling Texas program, especially with the entire nation watching. But that Notre Dame team turned out to be 4-8 and in hindsight, that Texas win wasn’t all that impressive. The Longhorns finished 5-7 and they were not back.

LSU and USC are two of the biggest names in the sport. Both fanbases expect these rosters to compete for a playoff spot, but there’s cause for anxiety with both programs too.

Both squads are attempting to rebuild a defense while replacing a Heisman winner at QB on the other side of the ball. That doesn’t come easy, no matter how talented your roster is.

But we know what the expectation is. Kelly and Lincoln Riley were both hired by their respective programs in 2021. The hires were significant poachings with LSU taking Kelly from Notre Dame and USC plucking Riley from Oklahoma.

Whatever narrative emerges from Sunday night is at risk of exaggeration. They’ll say the loser is on track for another year falling short of expectations while the winner has turned a corner.

A non-conference game to open the year doesn’t carry the same importance as a conference game in the middle of October, but due to the spotlight, this one feels huge.

The loser will remain alive for the playoff and have all their goals in front of them, but the narrative will be something different. On the flipside, the winner could go on to fumble its way through conference play.

The timing of this game makes it easy to jump to conclusions and convincing fans to be rational about a season-opening result is a lost cause, but be wary of falling into the Sunday night trap.

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Who did more to improve their defense in the offseason – LSU or USC?

USC and LSU try to go from confusion to competence on defense after brutal 2023 seasons.

On the Conquest Call-In Show at the USC Voice of College Football, a caller asked which defense has improved more in the offseason between USC and LSU.  Both schools saw their defenses reach historic lows statistically in 2023 under Alex Grinch and Matt House respectively. Those two coordinators had absolutely no idea how to unlock the talent and potential of their players on the defensive side of the ball. There was confusion about the scheme and where to line up. Coaches were not playing the right players and putting them in position to succeed. USC and LSU were dogged by the same sets of problems with the same overall dynamics involved.

In the offseason USC hired D’Anton Lynn, the architect who took a UCLA defense that ranked among the worst in college football in 2022 and transformed the Bruins into a top 15 defense in the country in one year.  LSU also found a replacement for House in Blake Baker, whose defense helped the Missouri Tigers to a top 10 national ranking in 2023, capped by a win over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.

Check out our response to the caller’s question. Our answer deals with the coaching and roster additions USC made in the offseason at the 23:48 mark of the show (link below is cued up to the discussion).

https://www.youtube.com/live/rSRtU-FD4fQ?si=xQPwgA8mAkZaIuMj&t=1428

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LSU offers 2026 EDGE from Bogart, Georgia

Khamari Brooks does not have any crystal ball projections at this time and there are no clear favorites to land him per On3.

[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] and his recruiting staff traveled to Bogart, Georiga, to extend a scholarship offer to an EDGE rusher.

[autotag]Khamari Brooks[/autotag] is a 6-foot-4, 220-pound, defensive lineman from Loganville where he plays for North Oconee High School. The North Oconee Titans are 2-0 on the season and had a bye week this week.

Brooks does not have any crystal ball projections at this time and there are no clear favorites to land him per On3.

Ratings

Stars National Position State
247 – – – –
Rivals – – – –
ESPN – – – –
On3 – – – –
247 Composite – – – –

Vitals

Hometown Bogart, Georgia
Position EDGE
Height 6’4
Weight 220
Class 2026

Recruitment

  • Offered on August 29, 2024
  • No visits yet

Offers

  • LSU
  • Duke
  • Wake Forest
  • Cincinnati
  • Western Kentucky

Recruitment Projections

  • No favorites to land him per On3.
  • There are no crystal ball projections at this time.

Twitter

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

LSU offers 2025 defensive lineman from Loganville, Georgia

Joseph Mbatchou is committed to the Florida Gators and has crystal ball projections for Florida.

[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] and his recruiting staff traveled to Loganville, Georiga, to extend a scholarship offer to a three-star defensive lineman.

[autotag]Joseph Mbatchou[/autotag] is a 6-foot-5, 275-pound, defensive lineman from Loganville where he plays for Grayson High School. The Grayson Rams are 2-1 on the season after beating Dorman in week three.

Mbatchou is committed to the Florida Gators and has crystal ball projections for Florida. The Tigers will have to fight off Billy Napier to land this three-star defensive lineman.

Ratings

Stars National Position State
247 3 – 43 47
Rivals 3 – – –
ESPN – – – –
On3 3 – 112 134
247 Composite 3 761 84 88

Vitals

Hometown Loganville, Georgia
Position DL
Height 6’5
Weight 275
Class 2025

Recruitment

  • Offered on August 29, 2024
  • No visits yet

Offers

  • LSU
  • Florida
  • Georgia Southern
  • Georgia State
  • Toledo

Recruitment Projections

  • No favorites to land him per On3.
  • There are no crystal ball projections at this time.

Twitter

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

LSU’s Chris Hilton Jr. remains questionable, Miles Frazier cleared vs. USC

Chris Hilton Jr.’s status remains unclear for Sunday’s game, though Brian Kelly said the staff is optimistic that he will play.

As LSU prepares to begin the 2024 season in Las Vegas against USC on Sunday night, it’s dealing with a couple of injuries to starters.

During his initial injury report on Monday, coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] listed receiver [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] as questionable with a bone bruise while guard [autotag]Miles Frazier[/autotag] was listed as probable.

When Kelly updated the injury report on Thursday, he provided positive updates on both. Frazier is “good to go” for Sunday’s game, and while Hilton continues to go through the process, there’s optimism he will also be available.

“Chris is still in progression and we’re hopeful that we get him ready to play. But he’s making good progress,” Kelly said.

Hilton is expected to start for the Tigers this season in what will be his fourth year with the team. He has battled injuries earlier in his career but his coming off a career-best season despite being buried on the depth chart.

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Brian Kelly says true freshman Ahmad Breaux could see immediate action this week

LSU defensive tackle Ahmad Breaux is set to make an immediate impact.

Depth at defensive line has been a question for LSU all summer. That puts a spotlight on the young guys in that room.

A freshman making an immediate impact on the interior would be significant, potentially changing LSU’s outlook at the position.

The name to watch early could be [autotag]Ahmad Breaux[/autotag]. Brian Kelly said Breaux was LSU’s most physically and mentally ready freshman.

Breaux was a three-star in the 2024 class, but he’s looked like a blue chip thus far. According to the On3 Industry Rankings, Breaux was the No. 59 ranked defensive lineman in his class and the No. 21 ranked recruit in Louisiana.

The most notable defensive tackle signing for LSU in the 2024 class was five-star [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag], but Breaux might be seeing the field first.

LSU hired Bo Davis to develop difference-makers at defensive tackle. LSU had three NFL draft picks on the interior last year, but the level of play was below the talent level. It’s looking like LSU will get immediate results from Davis in week one.

https://twitter.com/ByCoryDiaz/status/1829289891852878244

Brian Kelly doesn’t shy away from playing true freshman up front. In 2022, we saw LSU rely on two freshmen at the offensive tackle spots in [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] and [autotag]Emery Jones[/autotag]. That completely flipped the trajectory of that room with Campbell and Jones emerging as stars.

LSU hopes the 2024 defensive tackle class will make a similar impact.

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Brian Kelly says LSU will use two punters vs. USC

LSU is set to use two punters vs. USC, per Brian Kelly.

Position battles take center stage in fall camp, but LSU’s most contested battle has flown under the radar. The punter position.

With kickoff just two days away, LSU hasn’t settled on one. [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said the Tigers plan to use two punters.

A few weeks ago, Kelly said they were looking for more consistency from that spot.

LSU didn’t have to punt much last year, but [autotag]Jay Bramblett[/autotag] was effective when he was needed. Bramblett was one of the SEC’s top punters over the last two years and was a critical part of LSU’s 2022 win over Alabama.

Kelly said LSU believes it has “two talented punters” that can both impact the game.

Ochsendorf is a rugby punter, which gives LSU a different look at the position. [autotag]Peyton Todd[/autotag] will take on the more traditional punts.

Todd is entering his fourth year with LSU and has yet to make a punt, but he’s worked as LSU’s holder on field goals. [autotag]Blake Ochsendorf[/autotag] arrives after posting an All-Conference USA season at Louisiana Tech last year.

https://twitter.com/glenwest21/status/1828117762566390170

https://twitter.com/KokiRiley/status/1829288709201834238

LSU will hope to keep its punters off the field, but they’ll be needed at some point. LSU doesn’t need an all-conference player at the position, but it needs to avoid costly mistakes that lose the field position battle.

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Greg McElroy picks LSU to win season-opener against USC on Sunday

This Sunday, the LSU Tigers will be taking on the USC Trojans in what should be one of the best games of the Week 1 slate.

This Sunday, the LSU Tigers will be taking on the USC Trojans in what should be one of the best games of the Week 1 slate. The only game I can think of that can match up with the hype around this game is Georgia vs. Clemson.

When it comes to what team will win the game, most writers and college football experts are split. These are two teams that had zero defense last year. If this game plays out like last year it will be one of the highest-scoring games of all time. ESPN’s [autotag]Greg McElroy[/autotag] recently made his prediction for the game on his “Always College Football” podcast. Here is who he picked.

“I’m taking LSU, but I think it’s going to be close,” McElroy said, per On3. “LSU is more equipped to be able to win those shootouts with a slightly more experienced quarterback in [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag]. 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.”

Beating USC would be a great way to start off the 2024 season. That win could help lead the Tigers to a playoff berth.

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