A premier college football matchup will take center stage on the night before Labor Day when No. 13 LSU and No. 23 USC battle at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, with ABC on the broadcast. The point spread opened in May with LSU (-6) as the favorite, and the betting line has shifted closer to four points over the past few months. The point total has moved down from 66 to 63.5 at some books. USC is sitting at around +154 on the moneyline.
Sports betting sites are offering welcome bonuses to new users ahead of Week 1 of the season, and below we’re breaking down the LSU vs. USC matchup, with odds and betting analysis.
LSU favored in opening matchup against USC in Las Vegas
These programs share many similarities, with both offenses looking to replace former Heisman-winning quarterbacks (Caleb Williams for USC, Jayden Daniels for LSU), and both welcoming in new defensive coordinators (Blake Baker shifted from Missouri to LSU, and D’Anton Lynn moved from UCLA to USC). Like many programs, both USC and LSU are replacing some of their top receivers with new recruits and transfers. LSU is seeking its first season-opening win since 2019, and USC is looking for a strong start toward earning its first berth in the expanded College Football Playoff. Below is a sportsbook promo available for the game.
Breakdown of LSU vs. USC
How LSU could win
While these teams are breaking in a lot of new pieces on both sides of the ball, LSU has the advantage in terms of continuity on defense. The Tigers return stud linebacker Harold Jenkins Jr. along with senior linebacker Greg Penn. Safety Major Burns is one of the best in the nation at his position, and LSU has a revamped pass rush, led by Bradyn Swinson, that could be quite fierce under Baker’s guidance.
Each new quarterback comes in with some question marks, but Garrett Nussmeier might give LSU an edge over USC with Miller Moss making his season debut. An extremely accurate downfield passer, Nussmeier averaged 18.6 yards per completion in spot work behind Daniels last season. Kyren Lacy and Liberty transfer CJ Daniels could get open against a below-average USC secondary. LSU also has great continuity across a talented offensive line.
How USC could win
The Trojans have gained some steam this summer, moving the spread from six points to 4.5 or four points at some books. Moss might be relatively unproven, but he flashed upside with six touchdown passes in the Holiday Bowl against a Louisville opponent that was at less than full strength. Zachariah Branch is a game-breaking talent at receiver and as a returner, which might help USC keep pace in a projected shootout.
Can the Trojans’ defense get stops? New coordinator D’Anton Lynn was hired after coaching UCLA’s defense to success last year, as the Bruins allowed the eighth-fewest yards per play (4.5) and second-fewest yards per rush (2.7) in the nation. His coaching could help the Trojans improve on a rush defense that allowed 186.5 yards per game on the ground last year, ranking 117th nationally. In a game with an over/under line of 64 points, the team with the final possession could score to earn a win, or at least a cover.
