Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans running back Woody Marks (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the LSU Tigers during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
LAS VEGAS — Ever been to a good Vegas show? The singing, dancing and theatrics. The smoke, lights and smells.
We saw one on Sunday night, not in some dingy casino ballroom or a dark hotel lobby, but in a football palace erected just off Las Vegas Boulevard. There was plenty of smoke (pregame fireworks caused a haze to linger for three quarters). There were lead characters and main actors (Heisman Trophy replacement quarterbacks Miller Moss and Garrett Nussmeier). There was even dancing (one LSU player was flagged for a hip-thrusting jig in the second quarter).
Singing, chanting and swaying? Had that too, a pair of boisterous fan bases, two of college football’s biggest brands colliding before them.
It had it all right down to a sensational closing act — a late-game drive, a heroic catch and gut-busting run for a winning touchdown.
USC and LSU delivered to millions watching a playoff-worthy performance, with a championship vibe, all unfolding on a holiday weekend Sunday evening — a thrilling, heart-pounding Vegas act that Wayne Newton himself would proudly endorse.
The score — USC 27, LSU 20 — doesn’t justify the beauty of it all, the intense moments, the stellar quarterback play, momentary defensive lapses and waves of side-splitting momentum swings.
And now we are left to dissect the show and review — or overreact — to a Week 1 game between two teams that, let’s be real, we don’t really know much about.
Can USC now seriously contend in its big bad new league?
Can LSU rebound to make a 12-team playoff?
What we saw on Sunday night was a Trojans defense,…
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