Three LSU Tigers that USC must neutralize to prevail on Sunday in Las Vegas

The USC football program is set to open the 2024 season with one of the most exciting week-one matchups that the Trojans have had in nearly a decade. In fact, this could be one of the most anticipated openers in the modern era of the program.

The last time USC opened the year with a matchup against a ranked team from a major conference was in 2016. Unfortunately, that game was one of the most miserable in the storied history of Trojan football, a 52-6 loss to No. 1 Alabama in Arlington, Texas.

Prior to that, you have to go all the way back to 2000 to find a USC opener against a ranked team. That year, the No. 15 Trojans took down No. 22 Penn State 29-5 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Thus, it is easy to see why there is so much hype for this weekend's showdown with No. 13 LSU. This is truly a special opener, one that could propel the Trojans back into the national conversation should they prevail.

USC and LSU have existed in different orbits, though, for decades. Thus, Trojan fans may not know too much about this week's opponent. So let's look at three players from the talented LSU roster that the Trojans are going to have to neutralize in order to bring home a critical win.

USC can't let LSU RB Kaleb Jackson get going on the ground

While USC is counting on a bevy of sophomore receivers to break out this year, LSU is doing the same with its sophomore starting RB, Kaleb Jackson. Thus, the Trojans need to delay his ascension for at least one game.

The No. 1 running back in Louisiana in the 2023 recruiting class, he averaged 5.3 yards per carry as a true freshman last fall. However, he had only 31 carries for 165 yards in his first season on campus.

This year, he's bulked up to 235 pounds (he played at 200 pounds last season) making him a potentially powerful back. That's one reason why LSU fans expect to see a big year from Jackson.

"When he was able to get the football, and especially once he broke the first level or second level, he's a punishing back," LSU coordinator Joe Sloan said. "He is hard to tackle. He runs, he gets his pads down on contact and he's able to drive his feet. He's a powerful human."

This game will see LSU try to control the line of scrimmage with a veteran offensive line and USC will have to answer by stopping the run. Yes, the Tigers have a capable passer at QB in long-time backup Garrett Nussmeier. However, he's attempted 30 or more passes in a game only twice in his four years as a collegiate.

One of those games was his last start, the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl win over Wisconsin that saw him throw the ball 45 times for 395 yards and 3 TDs. However, LSU likely doesn't want to put this massive game completely on Nussmeier's shoulders. Thus, it would behoove the Trojans to take the Tigers' running game out of commission by slowing down Jackson and making LSU one-dimensional.

A talented USC secondary must slow down LSU receiver Kyren Lacy

When LSU does go to the air, Nussmeier will be looking for talented senior wide receiver Kyren Lacy. He's another player who is a potential breakout candidate after playing behind some fantastic wide receivers in 2023.

A season ago, he was third on the LSU roster with 558 yards and 7 TDs through the air. Now, he'll be asked to lead a reloaded Tiger passing attack.

Lacy is a home-run threat with explosive speed. Last year, he posted 18.6 yards per catch, which is fantastic.

However, he is unproven as a lead receiver. He's had only one game with double-digit receptions and that came against Grambling State last year. Other than that, he had no more than five catches in any game in 2023.

Was that because he was playing behind two eventual NFL Draft picks? Only time will tell. However, he'll get his shot to shine this year.

Fortunately for the Trojans, their secondary is supposed to be a strength this year. However, there are reasons to be concerned about that unit's cohesiveness in game one under the new D.C. D'Anton Lynn. But if the secondary can play a clean game and avoid catastrophic breakdowns, perhaps USC can keep Lacy from having his breakout moment in Las Vegas.

The USC offensive line must get a hat on LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr.

Let's flip sides of the ball and look at LSU's best defender, Harold Perkins Jr. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound junior from New Orleans is the heartbeat of the Tigers' defense.

Last year, he racked up 75 tackles despite being moved around from one linebacking spot to another. He also had 13.0 tackles for loss. That came on the heels of a freshman season that saw him post 69 tackles.

While many LSU fans have wanted the athletic Perkins to be used more as a pass-rushing linebacker, he's been primarily deployed as a traditional middle linebacker and that transition has taken some time. Will the Tigers unleash him to get after Miller Moss this weekend? That would thrill people in Baton Rogue.

Last year, Perkins had 5.5 sacks. Thus, he must be accounted for when USC drops back to pass. With the Trojans featuring a reworked offensive line, especially along the interior of the line, LSU would be smart to send Perkins on some blitzes up the middle to see if the USC O-line can handle him.

Just like USC, LSU struggled on defense last year. However, Perkins was a bright spot and this year, he figures to be the tip of the spear on his side of the football. That will make it imperative that the Trojan offensive line keeps him in check, especially if he rushes the passer.