BATON ROUGE — The calendar flips to September on Sunday and LSU soccer formally flips its calendar to soccer season.
The No. 12-ranked Tigers will tackle No. 23 USC within the Vegas Kickoff Basic on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (6:30 p.m. CT, ABC).
This is what to know in regards to the season-opening contest:
Garrett Nussmeier period kicks off for LSU soccer
LSU’s offense may have a a lot completely different look this season. Not solely is Joe Sloan taking on at offensive coordinator, however the Tigers stated goodbye to Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Junior Garrett Nussmeier now assumes the reins because the Tigers’ beginning quarterback. He began the ReliaQuest Bowl for LSU in January and carried out effectively, going 31 of 45 for 395 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
REQUIRED READING LSU soccer’s Brian Kelly: NIL QR codes on helmets take away ‘collegiate’ really feel of sport
REQUIRED READING How a lot cash will LSU soccer make taking part in USC in Las Vegas for the 2024 season opener
LSU head coach Brian Kelly stated this preseason he is excited to see how Nussmeier play now that “he is obtained the keys to the offense.
“Having a quarterback that has been within the system for the final couple of years, that is aware of what it appears to be like like, what it is prefer to be in an SEC battle and has performed in a sport towards a fairly darn good protection, these issues make you are feeling a bit bit extra relaxed going into these video games,” Kelly stated earlier this week.
What to learn about USC Trojans
Any workforce coached by Lincoln Riley will likely be recognized for its offensive prowess. USC did lose a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback itself in Caleb Williams and it is now the Miller Moss ear for the Trojans. Moss additionally began USC’s bowl sport final season, main the Trojans to a 42-28 win over Louisville within the Vacation Bowl when he went 23 of 33 for 372 yards, six TDs and one decide.
The most important query round USC is on the defensive facet of the ball. There is a multitude of recent faces as 9 transfers got here into this system in addition to that is defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn’s first season at USC, coming over from UCLA. It seems not less than 4 new gamers will begin for the Trojans on protection.
Kelly stated earlier this week that with the turnover on USC’s protection, the employees has needed to watch extra UCLA tape than USC to attempt to get a grasp of what the Trojans might do structurally.
Will Blake Baker’s debut as LSU DC be encouraging?
Final season was a traditionally dangerous efficiency on the defensive facet of the ball for LSU and Kelly overhauled the employees. He employed an all new defensive employees, headed by new coordinator Blake Baker, who led Missouri final season to certainly one of its greatest seasons in program historical past.
There’s been some shuffling round, like with star linebacker Harold Perkins on the Will spot and Sage Ryan now at nook. Depth is a priority up entrance alongside the line of defense.
How will the Tigers look of their first sport with Baker calling the protection?
LSU soccer vs. USC rating prediction
LSU 24, USC 21: There’s will not be as many factors as most Vegas traces are predicting as this will likely be an unsightly sport with each groups committing errors with turnovers. LSU will get simply sufficient stops on protection to edge out USC for its first season-opening win since 2019.
LSU’S D-LINE What LSU soccer coach Brian Kelly expects out of line of defense towards USC in opener
GARRETT NUSSMEIER LSU soccer QB Garrett Nussmeier relieves some ‘uneasiness’ for Brian Kelly. This is why.
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Day by day Advertiser as a part of the USA TODAY Community. Observe his Tigers protection on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Acquired questions relating to LSU athletics? Ship them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.
This text initially appeared on Lafayette Day by day Advertiser: LSU soccer vs. USC: Rating prediction, scouting report
