USC football rubber match vs LSU is 21 years overdue

USC will meet the LSU Tigers for the third time ever on Sunday, September 1, in Las Vegas’ Allegiant Field. Both teams have a lot to prove when they get to unveil new defenses under D’Anton Lynn and Blake Baker. It’s too bad college football wasn’t able to watch Pete Carroll’s and Will Muschamp’s defenses show their greatness in the 2004 Sugar Bowl.

The 2003 season left both fan bases dissatisfied when their teams were crowned co-national champions. It was the year that showed the flaws in the BCS system. USC was ranked No. 1 in both polls, but the computers snubbed them, keeping them from the BCS Championship Game. The broken system allowed an Oklahoma Sooners team, which had been blown out by Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship Game 35-7, to play LSU for the BCS title. This robbed fans of a definitive champion when USC beat Michigan handily in the 2004 Rose Bowl.

LSU Wire discussed the Trojans’ past performances against the Tigers:

1979

The No. 1 ranked USC Trojans took a trip to Tiger Stadium in September of 1979. LSU was ranked as well, but USC was a double-digit favorite.

LSU was quarterbacked by Steve Ensminger and held a 12-3 lead in the fourth quarter.

The lead didn’t hold. Two late touchdowns put USC up 17-12. LSU had a chance to jump back in front, but the USC defense came up with a needed stop.

It was LSU’s first loss in what would go on to be a disappointing year. The Tigers finished 7-5, which included dropping games to Florida State, Tulane and Georgia.

1984

Five years later, LSU met USC again. This time, it was in Los Angeles and the USC sat No. 15 in the country. LSU was unranked and entered the game 2-0-1.

LSU ran the ball 51 times for 150 yards. Those efficiency numbers wouldn’t be good today, but it was enough to get the job done back then.

On defense, LSU stifled USC and recovered two fumbles. LSU left LA with a 23-3 win.

The home opener for both teams in Week 1 may not settle the score for the championship game that never was, but it will break the tie in the series and give one program, and its fans, bragging rights in the series.

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