The Game Plan: How LSU Football Looks to Defeat the USC Trojans in Week 1

Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers will take on the USC Trojans in Week 1. What are three early keys to the game?

Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers will open the 2024 season on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 6:30 p.m. against the USC Trojans in a highly anticipated Week 1 matchup.

For the Bayou Bengals, it provides the program with a chance to start the season on the right foot under new signal-caller Garrett Nussmeier.

What must the Tigers do right to come out with their first season opening victory since 2019? What are Kelly's keys to the game?

Three Keys to the Game:

No. 1: Limit Zachariah Branch's Touches, Miller Moss' Explosive Plays

USC will work with a new-look offense in 2024 led by signal-caller Miller Moss, but he'll have an embarrassment of riches to work with out the outside. It starts with the dynamic play of wideout Zachariah Branch.

He's lethal in open space as a receiving threat, but also as a return man. The goal for LSU: Do not kick him the football.

It's clear the Tigers do not want to provide a chance for Branch to break open a big-time play and Kelly was clear about that on Monday.

“From a tactical standpoint, limiting his ability to field the football. We certainly want to stress not kicking it straight down the middle of the field," Kelly said on Monday. "We’ve got two talented kickers that both have the ability to impact the game.

"From our standpoint, we have some things we can do that will allow both to impact the game. It has a lot to do with trying to keep the ball from being kicked down the middle and giving him the opportunity to return kicks."

For Moss, he's in a similar boat as LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. He's following in the footsteps of a Heisman Trophy winner in Caleb Williams with an opportunity to leave his mark with the Trojans.

“[Moss] was the MVP of their bowl game and he played extremely well. You’re taking a lot of what they did in the bowl game because they had some time to really settle in on what they felt his comfort level was," Kelly said on Monday.

"He’s grown since then, so there will be more to the offense, but you’re going to take what coach Riley has been successful with and you’re going to look at their offensive structure and begin to build your defensive plan accordingly.”

No. 2: Utilize Experience on Offense

LSU feels comfortable in the talent they have offensively. It'll be a new-look unit led by redshirt-junior Garrett Nussmeier under center, but the arsenal of weapons he'll have to work with is significant.

Nussmeier will have Kyren Lacy and CJ Daniels to fall back on at wide receiver, a veteran running back in Josh Williams and an experienced offensive line that returns four starters from a season ago.

If the Tigers can fall back on their experienced players and effectively utilize the creative playbook in place, it'll put them in position to be successful come Sept. 1.

“Winning and losing is such a fine line, and a lot of times it can just be what the mindset of your team is with accountability and leadership. I think we have that," Kelly said on Monday. "If we don’t have the kind of playmakers we had last year, we have great leadership.

"We have guys that have experience, we have guys that are going to hold each other accountable and we’re going to play until the very end. That’s what this group is about. They have experience, they know what it’s like to win games. This is a team that knows what to do and how to do it.”

No. 3: Production from the Defensive Line

The talk of the offseason was the lack of depth within LSU's interior defensive line room. Jacobian Guillory emerged as the go-to guy for the Tigers during spring ball with a lack of bodies, but from there it was time to his the Transfer Portal.

The Tigers went out and added Gio Paez (Wisconsin) and Jay'viar Suggs (Grand Valley State) during the offseason. Now, the pair of transfers will look to take on a key role in 2024.

Paez will be the starter at defensive tackle alongside Guillory in Week 1 with the Bayou Bengals also hoping to get production from Suggs and others. It's an opportunity for position coach Bo Davis to see his guys in an in-game situation and develop rotations accordingly.

But there is much to like about the defensive line room as a whole. The edge rushers have proven to be an elite piece to the defense headlined by Bradyn Swinson and Sai'vion Jones.

Jones has emerged as a breakout candidiate heading into the 2024 season. Another key component will be the usage of former five-star recruit, and current sophomore, Da'Shawn Womack. He'll be looking to make an impact this fall.

If all goes right, this group can take the pressure off of the interior defensive line and give the Tigers a boost in the trenches.

“I know that our football team feels really good about where we’re at, but you have to go out there and test yourself to answer those questions, then we’ll be back here in a week to answer more questions about where we’re at," Kelly said on Monday.

"I know going in that we’re prepared defensively, our guys are excited to play for Blake [Baker], there’s not a lot of confusion or busts. Guys know what it takes to play LSU football. I’m excited to watch them play.”

No. 13 LSU will take on No. 23 USC on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 6:30 p.m. CT in Las Vegas for the season opener at Allegiant Stadium.

More LSU News:

LSU vs. USC: The Early Betting Lines for Week 1

LSU Inching Towards No. 1 Recruiting Class in America

Nick Saban Calls LSU Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier a "Sleeper" Ahead of 2024 Season

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