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Jan 2, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; A view of the USC Trojans helmets and Cotton Bowl logo during the game between the USC Trojans and the Tulane Green Wave in the 2023 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
LSU will face USC for just the third time in program history on Sunday night. The two previous meetings came in 1979 and 1984, with the programs splitting at 1-1.
These schools may be on opposite ends of the country, but they aren’t so different right now. Both programs are hoping to replace Heisman quarterbacks with a seamless transition to fourth-year players. Both head coaches are also counting on new DCs to debut a revamped defense.
If those things happen, either program could be contending for a playoff spot in November. But the first step on that journey is getting a win on Sunday night.
All eyes will be on this one. It’s one of just a few top 25 matchups in week one and it gets the standalone spotlight in the Sunday slot. That shouldn’t be a shock to either side given the history of these schools.
Here are five things to know about the Trojans before the showdown with LSU.
D’Anton Lynn brings hope to the defensive side of the ball
USC’s defensive struggles are no secret. Subpar defensive play wasted two elite years from QB Caleb Williams and prevented the Trojans from competing at the top of their conference.
Many wanted Lincoln Riley to move on from Alex Grinch after 2022, but Riley gave Grinch one more shot. It didn’t go well.
USC’s defense finished 105th in SP+ and ranked 121st in scoring defense. In 2022, the Trojans allowed 29.2 points per game, which ranked 94th nationally.
Those numbers won’t cut it, especially with the move to the Big Ten. Riley went across town to hire D’Anton Lynn from UCLA. Lynn rebuilt UCLA’s defense into a top-20 unit and brings some NFL experience…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/5-things-know-usc-ahead-161955247.html
Author : LSU Tigers Wire
Publish date : 2024-08-28 16:19:55
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