UNDER LSU/USC

For a number of reasons, we feel that this Sunday night game between LSU and USC will be more of a defensive affair than what the oddsmakers are leading us to believe. It's a difficult opening night Nationally televised contest for each of these ranked teams and we say these offenses take some time to "warm up." This is a neutral site game, which does have an effect for these younger players, as this one is part of the Vegas Kickoff Classic. USC is posted as the road team. USC only returns five starters on offense, so as good as Lincoln Reily is at getting the most out of his players, clearly, there's going to be some growing pains on that side of the ball. Miller Moss has some big shoes to fill in USC and we're unconvinced he'll be nearly as effective as his predecessor. The Tigers have a new defensive coordinator and staff. They will be better on defense. LSU went 10-3 last year, but starting QB and Heisman Trophy Winner Jayden Daniels has moved onto the NFL, as well as their top two WR's from last season. USC admittedly struggled defensively last year, but will benefit from facing Garrett Nussmeier, who also has the weight of expectations here on the road, starting as the favorite. They too have a new defensive coordinator and will be much improved defensively. We say these QB's struggle to begin and it's the defenses that step up to take "center stage" so to speak; this number is high, the play is the "under!"