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The USC Trojans and LSU Tigers open their seasons Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the USC vs. LSU odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
It’s a big night for USC football, as it officially kicks off as a member of the Big Ten Conference, although this isn’t a league game. It’s still a marquee game, and we’ll find out a lot about the Trojans in Vegas.
Coach Lincoln Riley must replace QB Caleb Williams, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Veteran QB Miller Moss started the Holiday Bowl, with William opting out, and he won the job in the spring and summer. UNLV transfer QB Jayden Maiava is waiting in the wings, in case of struggles or injury.
USC won 8 games last season, which was disappointing for a team considered as a CFP contender. But the defense was putrid, allowing 34.4 points per game (PPG), while ranking last in the Pac-12 in rush defense. The team turns to defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn to clean up departed DC Alex Grinch’s mess, but it will be easier said than done.
For LSU, it is also replacing a 1st-round NFL pick under center. Heisman winner QB Jayden Daniels is now a member of the Washington Commanders, so QB Garrett Nussmeier is now expected to be the big man on campus. Like usual, the Bayou Bengals have a bevy of top-notch receivers to ease the transition.
The Tigers defense was also pretty brutal in 2023, including 33.0 points and 6.3 yards per play allowed in conference play.
USC is No. 23 and LSU is No. 12 in the US LBM Coaches Poll — conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports.
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USC vs. LSU odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:43 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): USC +146 (bet $100 to win $146) | LSU -178 (bet $178 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): USC +4.5 (-118) | LSU -4.5 (-104)
- Over/Under (O/U): 64.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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USC vs. LSU picks and predictions
Prediction
LSU 41, USC 30
Moneyline
If you’re a super conservative bettor who wants action on this game, LSU (-178) is a very safe play, and not priced too terribly out of line. However, that’s a lot of risk for not a great return. Personally, I prefer just laying the points for a better payoff, but can’t fault bettors who don’t want to mess with the spread.
Against the spread
Play LSU -4.5 (-104), especially if line continues to fall. The Tigers opened at -6.5, and the line has continued to tumble, perhaps because USC +4.5 (-118) will likely have a lot more fans making the quick ride up Interstate 15 from the greater Los Angeles area.
However, crowd noise aside, the USC defense isn’t great, and needs work. LSU has a lot of receivers to spread an already thin Trojans secondary thinner. I expect the Tigers to pass, pass and pass some more, as Nussmeier gets the new LSU era of football off to a rousing start.
Over/Under
The OVER 64.5 (-110) is a strong play. Going Over last season with these 2 teams was a winning combination more often than not.
The defenses for LSU and USC have to be a little bit improved, right? Both were abysmal in 2023, with the Tigers allowing 408.8 total yards and 27.8 points per game, and the Trojans coughing up 432.8 total yards, 186.5 rushing yards and 34.4 points per game.
We should see some improvement on that side of the ball, but LSU will have plenty of 5 receiver looks to test the depth of USC’s defense, and each of the receiver are quality. USC might have more of an uphill battle on offense, and there are question marks on the O-line, too. But, we could have ourselves an old-fashioned shootout in Vegas.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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