LSU and USC are nearly mirror images of each other

LSU hails from a state that has bayous, while USC is located near beaches. The differences between these two teams stop there.

Both schools have head coaches entering their third seasons, LSU’s Brian Kelly and USC Lincoln Riley. Both men left schools where they had a ton of success and received lucrative contracts and are expected to deliver championships at their current schools.

Both head coaches had to make a change at defensive coordinator after their second seasons. The Tigers had the 105th ranked defense in the country, while the Trojans had the 116th.

After the 2023 season, USC hired D’Anton Lynn as its new defensive coordinator. Lynn did an outstanding job turning around UCLA’s defense as it improved from an 87th ranking in 2022 to 11th in 2023.

The Bruins had the nation’s best rushing defense, holding opponents to less than 70 yards rushing a game.

LSU hired Blake Baker to turn around its defense. Baker led a Mizzou defense that finished fourth in the SEC in scoring and ranked fourth nationally in fumbles forced.

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Both USC and LSU are trying to replace Heisman winning trophy quarterbacks. 2022 Heisman winner, Caleb Williams, is now with the Chicago Bears, while 2023 Heisman winner, Jayden Daniels, is now with the Washington Commanders.

LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier waited his turn to start and took advantage of his opportunity by leading the Tigers to a win over Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Nussmeier was the game MVP’s as he threw for 395 yards and three touchdowns.

USC’s Miller Moss has also waited three years for his chance with the Trojans. Moss finally made his first start in the Holiday Bowl and threw for a bowl record six touchdown passes and 372 yards and was named the game’s MVP.

According to the 247 composite rankings, Moss was the 12th best quarterback in the Class of 2021, while Nussmeier was the 14th best.

These two schools have won 15 national championships between them, but LSU and USC have yet to win a conference championship in this decade. Sunday is a big game for both as they look to claim one of the 12 spots in the College Football Playoff.