Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers will take on No. 23 USC on Sunday, September 1, as the program looks for its first Week 1 win since 2019.

There are players who have to step up and do their part to get the program back to Baton Rouge with a win.

Who are the Tigers to watch? What areas should LSU shine in on Sunday in Las Vegas?

Garrett Nussmeier: Quarterback

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will have the keys to the car in his hands in 2024 when he begins his first season as the Tigers’ QB1.

We’ve seen a small sample of his time in Baton Rouge, but the focus immediately turns to his ReliaQuest Bowl game against the Wisconsin Badgers, in which he threw for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns and led a game-winning drive.

That’s what Nussmeier is capable of.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to get into some pretty tough situations,” Nussmeier said. “I think they’ve only made me a better player. Now that I have the experience and the preparation, and the starter, I think it’s only going to help me more. That experience at Alabama, the SEC Championship against Georgia, the end of the game against Auburn. I’ve been put in some tough situations, but it’s only made me a better player and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. And even the times that I’ve failed, just learning from it and hopefully just moving on like I always have to just try to push harder.”

He’s a player to watch heading into Week 1 as this will be his first season as a starter for the Tigers.

Sai’vion Jones: Defensive Ender

LSU edge rusher Sai’vion Jones is poised for a huge 2024 season, starting with Week 1 in Las Vegas.

Jones, who is scheduled to start opposite Bradyn Swinson at defensive end, has had an impressive offseason after building up his body.

He now weighs around 300 pounds heading into the 2024 season and is getting more and more accustomed to his current weight.

With LSU EDGE coach Kevin Peoples now focused exclusively on the defensive ends, Jones will get the chance to spend more one-on-one time with his position coach ahead of what many are expecting to be a big season this fall.

Jones has been training his body, improving his technique and regularly spending time in the film room honing his skills and taking his game to the next level.

He’s a player LSU will rely on in Week 1 and the rest of the season. There’s concern about spacing on the interior defensive line, but with talent at end in Jones and Swinson, the edge rushers can take the pressure from inside.

Zavion Thomas: Wide receiver/return specialist

All eyes are on Mississippi State transfer Zavion Thomas, who will be a key player for the Tigers as a return specialist and wide receiver.

Thomas racked up 503 yards on 40 receptions for the Bulldogs in 2023 after being the go-to guy in Starkville on multiple occasions.

Now he’s part of an LSU offensive line that features a wealth of players, with Thomas joining Kyren Lacy, CJ Daniels and Chris Hilton, among others.

Although Thomas will not play such a big role in the attack, the hope is that he will earn his keep as a return specialist.

LSU has struggled on special teams in recent years, and the program hopes to turn the corner this fall. It starts with Thomas in the return game.

Expect Thomas to play a key role in Week 1 as the Tigers rely on their playmaker to make a difference on special teams.

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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Tigers on SI: @LSUTigersSI for all coverage of the LSU program.