LSU Football vs USC Trojans Final Preview and Prediction!

game day LSU and USC at long last we've got your final preview and prediction it's locked on LSU let's go you are locked on LSU your daily podcast on the LSU Tigers part of the locked on podcast Network your team every day okay let's get it it is locked on LSU your team every day I'm your host Matt musona thrilled to have you aboard with us on a game day edition of locked on LSU y'all uh just a brief moment if I could started this podcast back in 2018 it was the week of the LSU Georgia game of course LSU blew out Georgia and storm of the field did this podcast from 2018 through parts of 2022 had to step aside turned it over to Caroline fent who did an awesome job and I'm so thrilled to be back so this is my first game day back as host of lockt on LSU and I'm fired up to be here and I can't thank all of you enough for making us your first listen every single day the progress we made in a very short amount of time is incredible and I am sincerely and extremely grateful so thank you for being here with us all right uh it's locked on LSU we got a lot to get to I will get to my LSU USC prediction some final news and notes I got an update on Chris Hilton what I think LSU is going to do actually offensively ear to ground a couple little tidbits here but we've been been in Las Vegas since Thursday night and I can tell you walking around Las Vegas on Saturday this was a town painted in purple and gold as you would expect now I don't know that LSU is going to own a legion Stadium okay you're talking about a stadium that bumps up on 70,000 seats Southern Cal is a day trip for a lot of of USC fans it's four hours to think Baton Rouge to Houston so SC fans could drive from LA on Sunday morning certainly there's a lot of SC fans who live in Las Vegas who will be at the game something I've been told is that Raider fans were encouraged to buy tickets we'll see where the secondary Market lands but overall I think it's going to be a pretty even split despite the proximity to LA but in Las Vegas when you go to sports bars and you go to the casinos and the restaurants you see nothing but purple and gold all over this town so LSU is certainly well represented now we will get into what my final notes are for LSU but I did have a chance to visit with Ryan Abraham uh he is the uh founder publisher editor at uscsports.com and I asked him a few questions that were pertinent now we've gone over everything by this point right with LSU and USC every facet of the game you can imagine we've talked about Miller Moss we've talked about all the defensive transfers we've talked about the skill guys on offense for SC we've talked about Lincoln Riley we've talked about all of it okay of course Woody marks the the Mississippi State running back who's now transferred to to USC we've talked about all of it okay so Zachariah Branch the great wide receiver and kick returner we we've been through all it so there were two things though that I wanted to ask Ryan Abraham about specifically for this game one was a blueprint which we'll get to in a second for for USC to win it the other was special teams because we've talked a ton all offseason about Miller moss and Garrett NM we have talked about two bad defenses and two new defensive coordinators new defensive staff's turnover on the field on the coaching staff we've talked about so many different elements LSU's offensive line against that USC defensive front we've talked about every element you can imagine of this game the one thing we haven't spent enough time talking about is USC's special teams and Ryan Abraham from uscsports.com gave us about a 60-second thumbnail of the UF the USC special teams groups yeah they I think very similar to lfu they've struggled I think on the special teams side um you know they they probably lost that coton ball the to Lane because of a special team Gap where you're taking a kick off at the two yard line or whatever so I feel like he's tried to address it uh in the offseason they bring in a Long Snapper they're G to put on scholarship Hank pepper to kind of fix up the problems they had there Michael Lance was the kicker at Georgia Southern they brought him in even though they their incumbent is still there but there's been a competition it looks like Lance is going to win the job I think they've put more resources into special teams trying to make it better they weren't very good at putting kickoffs into the end zone and you know gave up a bunch of return so I think they've tried to address it like I'm sure like LSU has as well but it has been an issue and you know we we've seen LSU struggle in the first game with some some bad special teams plays I think that could be a big determining Factor you know but I think at least on the USC side they really tried to address some of the problems that they had uh last year Dennis lyw hit some tough field goals but he missed a lot of them between like 30 to range which you got to get those so they're hoping Michael L can fix that and you know not having snapping issues go for that but it's it's definitely been an issue the last couple years it's something they've worked on not a ton of confidence there sounds a lot like what you might hear from an LSU fan about special teams for what it's worth when you look at USC a year ago there were just 10 of 15 now Dennis Lynch is back 10 of 15 on field goals as you heard there five of eight from 30 to 39 yards just two of four from 20 to 29 yards oddly a perfect two of two and uh from 40 to 49 and one of one from 50 plus so of the kicks 40 and Beyond they were three for three it was everything inside of that that was a problem for SC so anything but a given for Dennis Lynch there uh with the SC special teamers and 33 just 33 three um percent of the kickoffs a year ago for SC resulted in touchbacks so keep an eye there there is a possibility for LSU and zavon Thomas the great returner to return kickoffs and punts in this game and maybe LSU can flip field because of USC's inadequacies now LSU's got their own and we've talked plenty about that okay In fairness but special teams is something we have not talked enough about on both sides here over the last six months or so and I think that third phase if everything else is equal that third phase is the thing that could make or break this game either way now I had one more question for Ryan Abraham of uscsports.com and it was if link aside from you know scoring 55 points if Lincoln Riley could have this go exactly to plan how would it look here's what he said I think just being able to get some stops on the defensive side not uh you know giving up very Longs and and missed tackles and a lot of busted coverages it just keeping the you don't have so much pressure on the offense that they have to score every time they touch the ball giving a Young quarterback like Miller Mo some leeway to be able to hand the ball off more and you maybe it's third and five and you try to run the ball and you don't force them to to to throw something and pick up a first down great otherwise punt it uh and then give him an opportunity to find those young wide receivers so I think it starts on a defensive side where you're just so many games you just felt like Caleb Williams knew he had to score every single time he touched the ball that's a lot of pressure than for for Lincoln riy if you just don't put that pressure on the offense and let them kind of Click they'll score some points but it's a lot easier to when maybe you're up by a touchdown or you feel like the defense can get a stop versus okay we have to score every time or we're gonna lose this game sounds really familiar to what you'd expect Brian Kelly to say let's go get some stops defensively be efficient and protective football all that sort of stuff we'll see how it may play out now I did have the opportunity uh to get a few little tidbits on LS Shu the Tigers did travel on Saturday uh the team landed in Las Vegas at 5:30 local time here in Las Vegas on Saturday so it be 7:30 central 5:30 here local time in Las Vegas I have some tidbits on the team we'll get to that and I'll give you a pick as we continue here on a game day edition of locked on LSU your team every day y'all I'm so thrilled to have 5H Hour Energy as one of our partners here on lock on LSU if you're listening you won't see this but if you're watching you'll see it it's as I record this Saturday evening we're going over to Circa to watch the Saturday Night Football games and before I go I'm going to take this 5 Hour Energy grape Extra Strength that's been my go to for years on air on after further review 5H Hour Energy uh it gives me great focus it gives me energy throughout the day when I need to be laser focused uh to get through a three-hour radio show if I'm going to be hanging out watching football games all night if it's after lunch when you got that 2:30 feeling maybe you need to tackle a to-do list or you want a little jolt for your workout 5H Hour 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when you want of course we have a special offer here on locked on LSU use the promo code locked on CFB that's all C locked on CFB in the game store and get a free boost for your program make sure to take advantage of this perk it'll get your team off to a strong start to download the game visit ultimate-fx Legacy today Ultimate Football excuse me ultimate college football HC begin your legacy today so LSU touched down here in Las Vegas on Saturday about 5:30 local time a couple of tidbits that I have for you we've been keeping an eye on Chris Hilton um of course this is so disappointing because Hilton is a senior receiver you know that he was injured uh two Saturdays ago in the final scrimmage that we the media were allowed to see they were running a seven on seven drill Hilton went through contact against Jordan Allen front left corner of the end zone made a beautiful touchdown catch came up hobbled left practice has been limited ever since Brian Kelly early in the season labeled early in the the week excuse me labeled him as questionable they were trying to ramp him up throughout the week and the last note that I got on Saturday evening is that Hilton did travel but is doubtful for the game so that kind of maps with what i' heard throughout the week that he hadn't really progressed as much as they had thought or hoped that he might so Chris Hilton it appears doubtful for the game on Sunday night and that is certainly disappointing the other tidbit that was very interesting to me is that it sure feels like the way this game plan is set up is that Josh Williams is going to start at running back but the plan is for Caleb Jackson to get the Lion Share of the carries keep an eye on that because something we've talked about throughout is LSU plans on running the football they plan on running the football Will Campbell told you that point blank Brian Kelly has alluded to it all throughout Ball Camp and if you're trying to prot protect your defense you condense the game by running the football and my assumption all along has been listening to Brian Kelly talked about it that Josh Williams would be that guy got the number 18 jersey he's a six-year player and it would be Williams now Williams has never had more than 100 carries in a season but Caleb Williams only had 31 carries last year as a freshman so I don't know that we're looking at an opportunity where either of these guys um is super experienced where you would trust to ride them for 20 carries in a game but based on the conversations I had Saturday evening it sure feels like the plan is to start Josh Williams and to ride Caleb Jackson in this game and if there's one prediction I made offensively I made a lot of them and I think gar LM is goingon to be fine I think the offensive Line's going to be great I think they're going to run the ball told you that I think that CJ Daniels and kyen Lacy are probably your best options at receiver I think Lacy or Daniels is probably the security blanket wouldn't surprise me at all if CJ Daniels leads you in receptions this year but I think Chris Hilton provided he's healthy would lead you in touchdown catches like Brian Thomas because he's got the big play ability but it sure seems to me based on some of the conversations I've had this week like the game plan on Sunday is to ride Caleb Jackson one of the predictions I made is that Caleb Jackson is the guy that nobody in the SEC knows his name today but by the end of the season they will and Sunday night Prime Time against Southern Cal might be his coming out party keep an an eye on Caleb Jackson it seems like that may be um the the guy who's going to get the big opportunity I'll project starting lineups for LSU defensively I don't think there's any change I think Gio pay Jacobi Giller are starting tackles I think Savon Jones bradden Swinson are your starting ends I think your starting linebackers are going to be Harold Perkins and Greg Penn major Burns is going to start at the star position Z Ryan Ashton stamps I think start at corner um and Jordan Gilbert Jordan Allen would be your starting safeties I think you're going to see a full to deep rotation on that defense they are going to play with numbers you are going to see a lot of different bodies especially in the secondary I think Jer Brown as are starting nickel when uh when they run in that formation which you're going to see a lot of nickel because you know USC is going to throw the football offensively we know what the starting offensive line is going to be like left to right Will Campbell Garrett Dinger DJ Chester miles Frasier emry Jones Mason Taylor will be your starting tight end G NM will be your quarterback Josh Williams will start a running back the receivers are going to be interesting because you got kyen Lacy and CJ Daniels that's a given but if Chris Hilton can't go do you start Kyle Parker or you maybe go with a two- tight endet maybe do we see camoran pimpton draw the start or is it maybe a veteran player like Aaron Anderson of course a five star who started his career at Bama played a season at LSU a year ago now in his third season do we see Aaron Anderson get it started May really very well depend on just what the first look in formation is for LSU but I think we're going to see a lot of those guys as for the game itself I've made my prediction on several different platforms louisian sports.net if you want to go read my prediction column you can read it there made it on my radio show after further review and certainly I'll make the same exact same prediction here so to be consistent I think LSU wins the football game but I do not think this is easy I think there is a general feeling of comfort among LSU fans because you've seen SC struggle defensively they all the they've Lo they lose Caleb Williams all the reasons why LSU um would look at SC and think this is a win for LSU SC is thinking the same thing however and I think these teams are mirror images of each other I think you have two really good head coaches I think you got veteran quarterbacks who have waited their turn I think youve got you've improved at defensive coordinator you have um rided the ship defensively although I don't think either is Elite I think you have question marks on special teams but for me when I look at a game and I think okay this is a push I always look at two things if HomeField isn't isn't in consideration which clearly it's not here it's a neutral site I look at quarterback and I look at head coach I think quarterback's a push Miller moss and Garrett and Garrett nme are the same guy now maybe as the season goes along one may emerge one may struggle we'll see but today they're the same guy and then I'll look at head coach and Lincoln Riley is a magnificent head coach and a great play caller Brian Kelly has been a better head coach over 30 three years I would give a slight Edge to Brian Kelly there and we could certainly look at special teams as we've discussed but I look at this game and I think there's one glaring difference between the two teams if everything else is equal and it's LSU's offensive line LSU's offensive line if you look at both teams both sides of the ball the LSU offense the LSU defense the USC offense the USC defense special teams coaching all of it the one glaring outlier is LSU's offensive line it might be the best offensive line in the country it's certainly the best individual position group either team either side of the ball Sunday and if LSU has the opportunity to line up protect Garrett NM and run behind that offensive line I think that's LSU's opportunity to win this game I do think LSU ends its four gam season open or losing streak I don't put too much into the losing streak as we've talked about all throughout this week I think a lot of that is contextual it matters you know with situation and Circumstance but I do think LSU's offensive line the ability to life and run the football is the difference and I like LSU in a close game 3127 and I like a play on the under I think it goes under the total if I was going to bet this game which I don't know if I will because I don't like betting the Tigers because I don't trust myself to be 100% objective look at me I'm wearing an LSU Polo right now U but I do like LSU to win it a close game and a like a play to the under with LSU and USC so there's my pick officially on the record all we have left to do is TE up kick it off and when it's over dissect it all you know we'll do that all season long right here unlocked on LSU thanks so much for making us your first list in every single day if you're new please subscribe on your favorite podcast app greatest leave a review and let a friend know if and by the way if you're on YouTube smash that like button subscribe to the channel and hit the Bell so you're notified whenever we post a new video and please be sure to let a friend know that if they love the Tigers we got you here every single day for locked on LSU 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