Is LSU's Brian Kelly concerned about USC's defense rattling his quarterback?

Can USC rattle LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier in Las Vegas? That will be a central storyline in the Trojans’ huge season opener against the Tigers. Nussmeier was 31 of 45 for 395 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in LSU’s bowl win over Wisconsin, 35-31. LSU wire shared, “[Brian]Kelly said specifically that Nussmeier needs to work on his decision-making under pressure.” Then LSU Wire provided these interesting quotes from LSU’s head coach that question if the young quarterback will be ready in a few weeks for the Trojans.

“I thought he did some pretty good things,” Kelly said. “There were a couple of things in pressures that, he thinks he’s got 52 timeouts. He takes timeouts when he wants to take a timeout, I think he’s got to work through a couple of things out there where, decision-making relative to some pressure looks that I want him to get better at.”

You can bet that USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn is going to dial up pressures to rattle the inexperienced signal-caller. Nussmeier played well when the spotlight has been on him. Kelly did point out his progress, but still left the door open to possible difficulties he may have in reading defenses early in his first season as the starter.

“But I thought his process was really good today. He stayed within himself, he looked under control in the situations that we created for him today. And I think when he does that and his drop is in rhythm, he’s really good. So I thought we saw a good version of him, I think there’s a better version of him out there.”

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