LSU Tigers have two big trap games on the schedule in 2024 that they need to approach carefully

The LSU Tigers have some lofty expectations placed upon them heading into the 2024 College Football season. Despite losing first round quarterback Jayden Daniels, two first round wide receivers in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., plus half their defensive line to the NFL sports books still see them winning nine or ten games this year.

If the Tigers want to make the first 12-Team College Football Playoff this fall they're going to have to win 10 games too (or at the very least, nine). But there are two games on their schedule they need to approach carefully if the Tigers hope to come anywhere close to reaching the pinnacle of the sport.

LSU vs USC September 1 in Las Vegas

The very first game of the season features the perhaps the biggest trap game of all for the LSU Tigers as they face off against the USC Trojans at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both teams are coming off one of their worst defensive showings in the history of their illustrious programs and need a staple win to open the year.

However, given USC's recent failures, most LSU fans (and perhaps their players) won't likely view the Trojans as the threat that they likely are this season. New starting quarterback for USC, Miller Moss, and Lincoln Riley's offense are going to be a real threat as LSU's defense tries to hold things together in Week 1.

Brian Kelly brought in new defensive coordinator Blake Baker to help Harold Perkins and the Tigers bounce back from ranking outside the Top 100 in yards per play allowed last year. If the defense lacks communication USC may make them pay. Limiting explosive plays will be huge against an offense that just put up six touchdowns through the air in their bowl game against Louisville to conclude last season.

Related: LSU Tigers look set to prove doubters wrong by going over their win total for the 2024 college football season

LSU at South Carolina September 14

If everything goes according to plan LSU will be 2-0 coming off victories over USC and Nicholls. Their third matchup of the year will come against a South Carolina team that will likely look quite a bit different than they did a year ago. And the Tigers will have to beat them in their house.

It would be easy to overlook Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks as they replace their quarterback, the majority of their wide receivers, and their entire backfield from a year ago. That would be a terrible decision though. South Carolina likely has the fastest wide receiver room in the nation led by Jared Brown, Gage Larvadain, Ahmari Huggins-Bruce, and true sophomore five star phenom Nyckoles Harbor.

Harbor runs a 100-meter dash in just over 10 seconds, and poasted the 11th fastest 60-meter time in high school track and field history while measuring in at 6'5", 235 pounds! If Harbor and the Gamecocks receivers find any chemistry with dual threat quarterback LaNorris Sellers, and Raheim "Rocket" Sanders bounces back now that he's healthy this could be one of LSU's toughest games of the year.

Hopefully quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, returning star wide receiver Kyren Lacy, and sophomore breakout candidate Kaleb Jackson at running back can combine for enough big plays to thwart anything either "USC" throws at them.

Related: Three potential LSU Tigers breakout players for the 2024 college football season

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And if you want to get excited about Garrett Nussmeier's upside as the new quarterback for LSU just check out his highlights in the video below!