Previewing LSU Football's Week One Opponent the USC Trojans
It's officially game week for the LSU Football team as the Tigers will travel to Las Vegas to take on the USC Trojans on Sunday Night. The Tigers used last week to begin their preparations for the Trojans similar to how they'd treat an in-season by week. The Trojans like the Tigers have a ton of turnover on the roster and on the coaching staff which makes this a fascinating game. Here's what to expect from USC's position groups when the teams take the field.
The Trojans will have a new starter at quarterback as Heisman Winner Caleb Williams is off to the NFL while Miller Moss slides into the starting role. Moss is similar to Garrett Nussmeier as he's waited a long time at USC without transferring which is admirable in today's era of College Football. Moss got his lone start in the bowl game as well where he impressed passing for 372 yards and six touchdowns with an interception. Moss is an impressive passer and the Tigers will need to bring pressure if they're going to slow him down.
The running back expected to carry the load for USC is Mississippi State running back Woody Marks. Last season, Marks rushed for 573 yards and four touchdowns averaging 4.7 yards per carry adding 167 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver. Quienten Joyner and A'Marion Peterson will play a role in this offense as well as the two backups. As a freshman, Joyner rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown while Peterson rushed for just 14 yards.
At receiver, the Trojans bring back a ton of familiar faces and the group looks to be explosive. The starters will be Duce Robinson, Zachariah Branch, Kyle Ford, Makai Lemon, and Ja'Kobi Lane. The Trojans truly have a stable of receivers that'll make an impact this season and in week one. Branch is an explosive returner and when he gets the ball in his hands the Tigers better be quick to bring him down. Robinson is massive at 6"6 and has experience catching 16 passes for 351 yards and two touchdowns.
Tight ends are rarely a massive piece of Lincoln Riley's offense but, the Trojans have two the Tigers may see often. Lake McRee returns after catching 26 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown while Carson Tabaracci will likely be the backup tight end despite dealing with injuries during camp.
The Trojans offensive line has some massive bodies in the starting group which has Tigers fans ecstatic about the group. The biggest question mark is at right guard where Lincoln Riley proclaimed there is no starter decided yet but, Alani Noa has had a nice camp. There are a ton of questions about this group which makes it fascinating as they'll face LSU's defensive line which has just as many questions.