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Paul Finebaum: Loser of LSU vs. USC in Week 1 ‘better watch out’
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Paul Finebaum understands a lot of the negative attention for this year’s season opener between LSU and USC has been placed on Lincoln Riley. However, that opens up the door for some additional pressure on the shoulders of LSU head coach Brian Kelly.
On Friday’s broadcast of ESPN’s “First Take,” Finebaum labeled the massive nonconference showdown in Las Vegas as the game to “keep an eye on” in Week 1. The fact it is set for a Sunday night broadcast only adds to the fuel, along with the game being a first glimpse at the new “SEC vs. B1G” with the Trojans making their move for the fall.
While both teams want to win, Finebaum warned that the loser will be in for some unpleasantries in the fallout.
“The loser better watch out,” warned Finebaum. “We’re talking about LSU vs. USC in Vegas. Now, I think we’ve hashed out the Lincoln Riley situation ad nauseam but imagine losing that game. I guess he’ll try the ‘Well, I’m not a magician’ line again.”
Riley has been one of the topics of the offseason after SDS’s Matt Hayes reported the head coach and USC tried to get out of the Week 1 matchup prior to 2024. That never happened with the nonconference showdown one of the highlights of the Week 1 slate.
On the flip side of things, what happens if Riley’s Trojans somehow win that game in Vegas after that reporting? It’s shaping up as a potential no win situation for Kelly with the expectation that the Tigers should win and a devastating fallout if LSU drops the marquee opener.
“But what about the other side of that? I know everyone thinks I wave the flag of the SEC, I just happen to work for the SEC Network, but Brian Kelly — he better win that game,” Finebaum said. “He has done a really nice job but he left Notre Dame a couple of years ago to win a national championship. Last year the losses started piling up with a terrible defense… That is the game to keep your eye on in Week 1.”
Oddsmakers seem to agree with Finebaum on the game. DraftKings has LSU at -6 for the matchup, and fans can use SDS’s Louisiana sports betting app to get started.
It’s no secret how Finebaum feels about Riley. He has already predicted USC’s head coach will be looking for a different job by the end of 2024, regardless of how that coaching change comes about.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
