Week 1 of the 2024 college football season gives us a solo Sunday night banger, as the LSU Tigers and the USC Trojans head to Sin City for a primetime affair.
It’s a new era for both squads as each team must replace a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, so the question that needs to be asked is: who handled those changes better during the offseason?
My college football picks navigate those changes and bring you a same-game parlay pick for LSU vs. USC on Sunday, September 1.
Best USC vs LSU SGP for Week 1
LSU -4.5
Under 64.5
Zachariah Branch anytime TD
Leg 1 - LSU -4.5
The short answer to my question is Brian Kelly and LSU. While both teams feature new starting quarterbacks — Garrett Nussmeier for LSU and Miller Moss for USC, I have more confidence in Nussmeier in this spot.
Nussmeier was the more highly touted recruit, and he’s got one big advantage Moss doesn’t, which is an elite offensive line. Led by projected top-draft pick Will Campbell, the Tigers front could be one of the best in the country.
While both teams struggled defensively last season, it appears that LSU has the better impact defenders heading into 2024, including Harold Perkins, who should be able to take advantage of a suspect USC O-line.
Although Lincoln Riley is the guy you want if you’re trying to coach up a QB and win a Heisman trophy, I’m not sure if he’s the best in-game mastermind. Give me Brian Kelly in this spot, as he leads LSU to a win and cover against the spread.
Leg 2 - Under 64.5
At 64.5, this is the highest total on the board in Week 1, and it appears that bettors are looking at this matchup like Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams are walking out of the tunnel and throwing against last year's defenses.
However, both Brian Kelly and Lincoln Riley recognized the need for improvement on that side of the ball. As a result, Riley brought in D’Anton Lynn from cross-town rival UCLA, while Kelly recruited Blake Baker from Missouri.
Both units should show improvement this season, and each offense will understandably take a step back without their respective Heisman-winning QB. With LSU potentially leaning a little more on its rushing attack behind a beast of an offensive line, this total looks a little too high.
Leg 3 - Zachariah Branch anytime touchdown
Zachariah Branch was impressive as a freshman for the Trojans last season, catching 31 balls for 320 yards and two touchdowns while adding another 70 yards and a score on the ground. He also returned a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown.
Branch is an electric playmaker who can score anytime he touches the ball, and I wouldn't be surprised if he ended the season as the Trojans' top wideout. Expect Riley to try and get the ball to Branch in space against the Tigers and allow him to do his thing.
If this trio of bets hits, we walk away with a nice +850 payday.
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