LSU-USC meet for the third time on Sunday night in the Tigers first ever game in Las Vegas. Here are five things I’ll be watching.
The Nuss Bus begins its route
I would bet Garrett Nussmeier will be the first guy on the bus that’s leaving the hotel for the stadium on Sunday. After three years of patiently waiting, Nussmeier gets the keys to the offense. Expect a lot of quick passes, but also some deep shots. Jayden Daniels had seven interceptions in two seasons as LSU’s starter, can Nussmeier avoid throwing more than seven interceptions this season.
Running back rotation
LSU has made it no secret they want to establish the ground game. But the Tigers top three running backs on the depth chart have yet to be workhorses in their college careers.
Josh Williams highest rushing attempt number for a season is 97 in 2022.
Kaleb Jackson had just 31 carries his freshman season and only played one game his senior year in high school.
And the most carries in a season for John Emery is 76.
All of these guys do not have much wear on the tires, but will they hold up to the grind of an SEC season?
Can LSU’s corners cover?
LSU coach Brian Kelly says they didn’t have many coverage breakdowns during preseason camp but can this group of defensive backs cover a talented group of receivers when it’s a game setting.
USC will provide a good test as the Trojans do not have any receivers who are established, but they still have a talented group led by Zachariah Branch, who was an All-American as a true-freshman returner.
Makai Lemon is described as an exceptional route runner, Ja’Kobi Lane caught two touchdowns in the Holiday Bowl, Duce Robinson is six-foot-six and averaged 22 yards a catch last season, Kyle Ford is entering his sixth season of college football and Auburn transfer Jay Fair has excellent speed and caught 31 passes on the Plains last year.
How will Major Burns fair at the Star Position?
There’s been a lot of talk about Harold Perkins move back to inside linebacker. But I’m interested to see how Major Burns can fair at the Star Position, which is a hybrid safety-linebacker position in Blake Baker’s defense. Burns will be around the line of scrimmage a lot and you could see him blitz a lot. Burns as a pure cover defensive back had his ups and downs, but Baker believes he can use Burns appropriately.
Expect some freshmen to play on defense
It’s unlikely we’ll see many freshmen break through on LSU’s offense, outside of tight end Trey Dez’ Green, who at six-foot-seven 245 pounds, could present matchup problems for opposing defenses on in the Red Zone.
But Coach Brian Kelly mentioned three guys on defense could see playing time. They are defensive tackle Ahmad Breaux from Ruston. Breaux arrived on LSU’s campus in January and he’s bulked up to make the move from defensive end in high school to defensive tackle at LSU.
Cornerback PJ Woodland caught the coaches’ attention in spring ball and he starts the season as a second-string cornerback. Former Denham Springs star Dashawn Spears intercepted nine passes in his senior season and the safety looks the part at six-foot-three, 208 pounds.
I like LSU to win 34-27.