Chase Robinson and Chris Lee preview LSU vs. USC in their opening game of the 2024 college football season and share their predictions for the matchup at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Topics include:

Southern Cal lost quarterback Caleb Williams, but the Trojans turn the reigns over to Miller Moss (who threw for 372 yards and six scores in the Holiday Bowl) and also added a terrific backup in young UNLV dual-threat quarterback Jayden Maiava.

The Trojans add Mississippi State transfer Woody Marks and have dynamic playmaker Zachariah Branch in the slot but will need Kyron Hudson and Duce Robinson to step up production.

USC has a mostly-new offensive line.

LSU must replace Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, but Garrett Nussmeier looks like a good quarterback in the times we’ve seen him.

The Tigers lost a pair of first-round receivers but still have Kyren Lacy, tight end Mason Taylor and a cast of others.

LSU starts a pair of future NFL first-rounders in tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr.

LSU also struggled on defense, but new coordinator Blake Baker has a history of defensive turnarounds with his last stop at Missouri.

The Tigers have a star-studded linebacking corps of Harold Perkins, Greg Penn III and hybrid S/LB Major Burns. - But LSU could be lacking its traditional talent in the defensive line and secondary.

Southern Cal also needs a defensive improvement, and coach Lincoln Riley hired D’Anton Lyon, who turned around UCLA, with help.

The Trojans have a couple of defensive linemen familiar to SEC fans in Bear Alexander (Georgia) and Nate Clifton (Vanderbilt).

USC also brings in a largely-new starting defensive backfield with some transfer portal additions.

The Trojans should have a special teams edge (where LSU has struggled) thanks to Branch and good returnees at punter and kicker.

Our predictions at the end.

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