Somethings has to change as LSU drops yet another season opener to USC

The LSU Football team flew West to Las Vegas to take on the USC Trojans in what Will Campbell aptly declared a "fistfight". That's what the LSU football team found themselves in heading into the fourth quarter with a 17-13 lead. After USC scored a touchdown to take a three-point lead, the LSU Football team drove down to the red zone but, settled for three points and set USC up perfectly for a "two-minute drill".

The LSU defense reverted right back to its 2023 form letting the Trojans march right down the field while even helping the Trojans thanks to a Jardin Gilbert targeting penalty. The Tigers could've made this game come down to a kick which would've given them life as USC missed one to end the first half. Instead, the Tigers missed a set of tackles allowing Woody Marks to waltz in for his second touchdown of the night.

The Tigers attempt at a miracle was crushed as Garrett Nussmeier threw an interception officially sealing the deal.

This loss marks LSU's fifth straight loss in season openers and Brian Kelly's third as LSU's head coach. Every season opener under Brian Kelly it feels like this team comes out and shoots itself in the foot.

Tonight, the Tigers had plenty of mistakes as Kyren Lacy's unsportsmanlike conduct penalty all but gifted USC three points. The Tigers went for it on fourth and goal on the first possession of the game and failed to convert leaving points on the field like they did in 2023's opener. Both teams were awful on third downs but, LSU going 5-13 on third downs is something you simply can't win with.

The Tigers were penalized ten times in this game for a total of 99 yards and penalties like Gilbert's targeting and Kyren Lacy's unsportsmanlike conduct directly led to USC points. The Tigers defense created plenty of chances for turnovers tipping passes in the air and getting a few football's onto the carpet but, LSU never capitalized and USC won the turnover battle.

LSU had a decent day offensively, Garrett Nussmeier passed for 304 yards and prior to his interception, the night was very good for him. The rushing game looks no different and despite this incredible offensive line, the Tigers only rushed for 4.5 yards per carry which was boosted by John Emery Jr's big run.

In the first half, Kyren Lacy looked like he was Brian Thomas Jr or Malik Nabers catching seven passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. After that point, LSU never got him the ball again targeting him twice but, both were incomplete.

Have to start questioning the preparation at this point

As Brian Kelly falls to 0-3 as LSU's head coach you have to start questioning this team's preparation heading into the season. Tonight, LSU was killed in the two-minute drill to end both halves even though USC bailed them out with a missed kick. On the opening drive, LSU stalled out in the redzone and on their final drive they settled for three when a touchdown would've changed the game. Missed tackles continue to plague this defense and they'll have another tough opener next season when they take on Clemson.

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