Paul Finebaum Reveals Prediction For LSU vs. USC Week 1 Game

Week 1 of the college football season is almost here, bringing several exciting matchups. Some of the marquee games include the Georgia Bulldogs vs. the Clemson Tigers, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. the Texas A&M Aggies and the USC Trojans vs. the LSU Tigers.

ESPN's Paul Finebaum weighed in on one of those matchups. He thinks LSU will defeat USC due to LSU's coaching advantage.

"When you have two programs with different quarterbacks and different coordinators in the first game, you really don't know what you're going to get," Finebaum said. "Then you need to lean heavily on the coaches, and I think Brian Kelly is the best coach in that matchup. That's why I side with him."

Both teams in the upcoming game will feature new quarterbacks, replacing the last two Heisman Trophy winners and top two picks in last season's NFL draft, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels. Both of the new quarterbacks played well in last season's bowl game.

In a 42-28 victory over the Louisville Cardinals, USC's Miller Moss completed 23-of-33 passes for 372 yards, throwing six touchdown passes and just one interception. LSU's Garrett Nussmeier threw for 395 yards, completing 31-of-45 passes with three touchdowns and only one interception in the Tigers' 35-31 win over the Wisconsin Badgers.

The Tigers are currently favored to win the game, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, at a neutral site in Las Vegas, Nev.

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