LSU and USC schedule season-opening matchup for 2024 in Las Vegas

The LSU vs. USC matchup everyone wanted in 2004 will be played two decades late, with the Tigers and Trojans meeting in Las Vegas in 2024.

The first major scheduling announcement in college football since the alliance between the Big Ten, Pac-12 and ACC was formed will pit the Pac-12 against…the SEC.

That’s right, instead of a big alliance matchup, LSU and USC will kick off the 2024 season with a neutral site game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

The Tigers have been connected in several ways this century, but they have only met on the field twice in 1979 and 1984. USC won the first meeting in Baton Rouge, while LSU won the second in Los Angeles.

At long last, USC and LSU will face off in 2024

This one is a long time coming. LSU was crowned the Coaches Poll national champion for 2003 after beating Oklahoma in the BCS national title game. Meanwhile, the AP named USC their No. 1 as the Trojans were left out of the championship game and beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl.

During the height of the Pete Carroll and Les Miles eras, the two programs never met.

A common figure now links the teams. Ed Orgeron served as a USC assistant in two different stints. He took over as the Trojans interim head coach in 2013, replacing Lane Kiffin. However, athletic director Pat Haden passed him over for the permanent job.

Orgeron landed on his feet as an assistant at LSU. When he once again ended up as an interim head coach, the Tigers followed through and promoted him to the big gig. He went on to lead them to a national championship.

Now, Orgeron just has to hold onto his job until 2024 to keep the storyline of the matchup extra juicy.

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