All eyes will be on two of the most iconic brands in college football in Las Vegas on Sunday night as No. 13 LSU and No. 23 USC square off at Allegiant Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:44 p.m. CT on ABC and the LSU Sports Radio Network. Voice of the Tigers Chris Blair, color analyst Jacob Hester and sideline reporter Gordy Rush will be on hand.

After two straight 10-win seasons under head coach Brian Kelly, the Tigers are looking to start the 2024 season strong. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is making his second career start for LSU, the first coming in last season’s ReliaQuest bowl win over Wisconsin.

“I’m excited about this game,” Kelly said. “Sunday Night Football. Las Vegas. A game that’s going to be on ABC in primetime. Just a great showcase for college football and LSU in particular.”

It’s almost here. This is all business. photo.twitter.com/i4zK2ZADIz

— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) August 31, 2024

The Tigers offense lost three first-round picks to the draft in April but returns in 2024 with a unit loaded with talent, led by an offensive line primed to make a run for the Joe Moore Award. A year ago, left tackle Will Campbell and right tackle Emery Jones combined for 1,513 snaps while allowing just two sacks and five quarterback hits.

At receiver, junior Kyren Lacy returns after a formidable 2023 campaign that included 30 receptions for 558 yards and seven touchdowns. Chris Hilton and transfers C.J. Daniels and Zavion Thomas will also add experience to the group, along with tight ends Mason Taylor and Ka’Morreun Pimpton. Redshirt freshman Kyle Parker is also expected to take on a larger role.

Sixth-year senior Josh Williams — who has rushed for 1,011 yards and 11 scores over his entire LSU career — headlines a deep group of running backs. Sophomore Kaleb Jackson is primed for a breakout season after showing signs of greatness in 2023. John Emery is back for a final year of eligibility, and freshman Caden Durham joins the room as a former top prospect from Duncanville High School.

“I think we have great leadership, guys with experience, guys that hold each other accountable,” Kelly said. “They know what it’s like to play and win games. This is a team that knows what to do and how to do it.”

Defensively, the Tigers are led by first-year defensive coordinator Blake Baker, who has given the unit an energy boost during fall camp. Linebacker Harold Perkins was drafted to the coveted No. 7 overall pick and was also named to the preseason Butkus Award watchlist for the nation’s top linebacker.

The linebacker unit is deep and talented beyond Perkins, as sophomore Whit Weeks returns after showing positive flashes a year ago, alongside senior Greg Penn III — who was given the legendary No. 18, given to a player who embodies what it means to be an LSU football player. Penn recorded 89 total tackles, four sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble as a junior.

The secondary will once again be led by coach Corey Raymond, who returned to LSU in January. Sophomore corner Ashton Stamps has established himself as a starter after appearing in 11 games with four starts as a true freshman. Sage Ryan provides veteran leadership to the group as he enters his fourth season with the Tigers. Safety Major Burns started all 13 games at safety for LSU in 2023 and led the team in tackles with 93. Redshirt sophomore Jordan Allen is expected to step up production after appearing in the final seven games of last season.

The defensive line features veteran returnees Jacobian Guillory, Saivion Jones and Gabe Reliford, as well as new faces like Wisconsin transfer Gio Paez and Grand Valley State’s Jay’Viar Suggs. Guillory, the Alexandria, LA native, enters his fifth season with a career-high 50 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a half-sack.

After spending three seasons as a backup in Troy, USC is now led by junior quarterback Miller Moss, who had 681 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023. The Trojans have added Mississippi State transfer running back Woody Marks, who has 32 starts in the SEC and 1,883 yards rushing under his belt. DT Bear Alexander, LB Eric Gentry and DB Akili Arnold lead a defense under new leadership in D’Anton Lynn.

“It’s all about precision,” Kelly said of USC’s air raid offense. “It’s fundamentally based on wanting to throw the ball. But they’ll attack you in the run game if you over-commit to the pass. Every head coach has their own way of adjusting it, and Lincoln has their own flavors.”

LSU and USC have met twice in the program’s history, winning each game. The Tigers had the most recent win, beating the Trojans 23-3 in 1984.