Why LSU football announcement on Thursday was disappointing

I consider myself a traditionalist, so you can likely understand why I wasn’t a big fan of the news about LSU football that dropped on Thursday.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger, the Tigers will play the USC Trojans in 2024 in Las Vegas on ESPN/ABC.

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love that LSU and USC are playing each other. And I’m glad the game will happen before I turn 40 (only by a few months).

I just don’t love that the game is happening in Las Vegas.

LSU football should play USC in a home stadium

Sure, it’ll be a big spectacle — it’s college football in Las Vegas, after all. It’s only been recent that words like over/under, spread, and parlay have been acceptable to use by college football broadcasters and analysts. It makes sense that ESPN would want to have a college football game happen in Las Vegas.

I would just rather the game happen in Los Angeles or Baton Rouge.

One of the reasons I love college football so much is because of the great cathedrals throughout the sport.

Every weekend is special because it takes place on hallowed ground in a town like Baton Rouge, Athens, Tuscaloosa, Norman, or Tallahassee.

Losing one of those matchups — especially a non-conference matchup between LSU and USC — feels like we’re getting cheated.

There’s nothing special about Las Vegas when it comes to football (sorry Raiders fans). This game should be happening in Tiger Stadium or Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Unfortunately, it’s all about money. And there’s certainly money to be made by playing in Las Vegas.

Of course, while I’m bummed the game won’t be on a college campus, there’s no doubt I’ll have my eyes glued to the television.

By the way, LSU and USC have played twice before. LSU won 23-3 in 1984. USC won 17-12 in 1979.