Phil Steele Picks LSU, USC

Phil Steele is one of college football’s most recognized voices.  Each Friday during the football season, Steele joins “After Further Review” with Matt Moscona to preview the biggest college football games in the country.

Here is his preview and prediction for the LSU-USC game Sunday in Las Vegas:

This is going to be one of those great games to watch this year because as you mentioned, both teams lose Heisman Trophy quarterbacks, both had below average defenses last year, and I think both will actually have above average defenses this year.

 For LSU, I love the hire of Blake Baker, and they have a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball. I think they had more talent defensively than USC had last year, and they’re going to get the most out of it. And they’re also going to run the football a little bit more.

 With USC, Lincoln Riley always has a great quarterback. Miller Moss had six touch downs in the bowl game. I think he’ll be great. Defensively, they bring in D’Anton Lynn from UCLA. Last year, when he went into UCLA, they cut it by 100 yards per game. I think he’ll have a similar impact here. Brought over a couple of UCLA starters with them and some other starters as well. They brought in a ton of transfers. So, I think USC and LSU both have above average defenses this year.

 So probably my best play would be the fact it’s going to be a tight game going on the wire.  I probably lean with the under because everybody looks at last year and thinks over, over, over. And I think there might be a little value on the under, but I think it’s going to be a great game. I see LSU escaping with the win, but I do think it’s going to be a close.

 The Tigers and Trojans kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT Sunday from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.