The USC Trojans and LSU Tigers are set to open their college football seasons in a highly anticipated matchup on September 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. LSU enters the game as a 4.5-point favorite, having lost Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels but welcoming Garrett Nussmeier as the new starting quarterback. Meanwhile, USC, now part of the Big Ten after moving from the Pac-12, also faces quarterback changes with Miller Moss stepping in for the no. 1 NFL draft pick Caleb Williams. Both teams are under pressure to improve their defenses, which ranked among the worst in the nation last season. The matchup marks a significant moment, as it will be the first meeting on neutral ground between these historically competitive programs. With both teams looking for strong starts, the game is expected to be closely contested, as reflected by recent shifts in betting lines.