LSUDad Posted May 29 Share Posted May 29 SDS sources: USC wanted out of its Week 1 showdown vs. LSU Matt Hayes | 4 hours ago MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. — The biggest game of the opening weekend of college football almost never happened. USC tried for nearly 2 years to find a way out of a contract to play LSU in Las Vegas because Trojans coach Lincoln Riley didn’t want the game, multiple sources told Saturday Down South. As late as last fall, after Jen Cohen was hired away from Washington to be the new USC athletic director, the USC administration was still trying to get out of the game, including offering other opponents to LSU, sources said. At one point, Fox Sports got involved and tried to further the process. The network wasn’t enamored with the idea of USC’s first game as a Big Ten member broadcast by rival ABC/ESPN. “They weren’t getting out of the game,” a source told SDS. LSU athletic director Scott Woodward and Las Vegas Bowl executive director John Saccenti, both attending the annual SEC spring meetings here, declined to comment. Just how committed was Riley to get out of the game? High-profile sports agent Trace Armstrong represents Riley and LSU coach Brian Kelly, and a source told SDS that Riley asked Armstrong for help in changing Kelly’s mind. It didn’t work. In an age where college football has never been bigger, and fan engagement never greater, the sport nearly missed out on the marquee matchup of an important weekend of nonconference games to begin the 2024 season with the new 12-team Playoff — and on the big stage in Las Vegas. Week 1 includes mega nonconference games Texas at Michigan, Georgia vs. Clemson (in Atlanta), Notre Dame at Texas A&M and Miami at Florida. But none was a bigger draw than USC-LSU, running unopposed on television in primetime on ABC. Another source said “more than 10 games” on various schedules had to be moved to accommodate the game, and that there was significant “logistical legwork” to make it happen. USC and LSU will each earn $5 million from the Las Vegas Bowl for the game, which was scheduled in August of 2021 — 4 months before USC hired Riley to replace Clay Helton. USC has an unusually difficult schedule in its first season in the Big Ten, but the administration was trying to get out of the game before the Big Ten announced the 2024 schedule. The Big Ten initially announced its 2024 football schedule for 16 teams in October of 2023. A new schedule was released a month later after Washington and Oregon were officially accepted to the conference. The USC schedule includes key road conference games at Michigan and Washington, and home games against Wisconsin and Penn State. The Trojans play annual nonconference rival Notre Dame in Los Angeles. LSU’s schedule, meanwhile, includes nonconference games against USC and UCLA, in addition to its 8-game SEC schedule. Most online sportsbooks have LSU as a 6.5-point favorite over USC for the Week 1 matchup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchertiger Posted May 29 Share Posted May 29 Lincoln Riley got enough of LSU in 2019! 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herb Posted June 6 Share Posted June 6 He was skeered. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSUDad Posted June 6 Author Share Posted June 6 Got rooms and Air, waiting on the tickets! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSUDad Posted August 27 Author Share Posted August 27 (edited) My Brother in Law, three sisters and I fly out Thursday, from ATL. We have 6 nights in Vegas. We are splitting time at two places, MGM Grand and Luxor. Let me know if anyone else is making the trip. Edited August 27 by LSUDad 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jace78 Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jace78 Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 https://gridironfootballusa.com/lsu-usc-face-similar-questions-in-season-opening-matchup/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houtiger Posted August 30 Share Posted August 30 Vegas has LSU as a 4.5 point favorite. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadillacattack Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 Hi all ! Just wanted to wish all my LSU friends another happy and healthy season ahead. too bad our series came to an end, eh? All the best for a great season …. let the tailgate begin! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houtiger Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 2 hours ago, cadillacattack said: Hi all ! Just wanted to wish all my LSU friends another happy and healthy season ahead. Same to you Caddy!!! Stop by anytime. Especially when we play Gumps and you guys play Gumps. Ole Miss looms large for us this year, and A&M. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchertiger Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 Gonna be weird not playing Auburn. We used to play them early and the game would set the tone for the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadillacattack Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 so weird …. We were just having that discussion yesterday with some friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutriaitch Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 On 8/30/2024 at 7:09 PM, cadillacattack said: Hi all ! Just wanted to wish all my LSU friends another happy and healthy season ahead. Hey Caddy, nice of you to drop by. Quit being a stranger I wish you a healthy season, but not a happy one On 8/30/2024 at 7:09 PM, cadillacattack said: too bad our series came to an end, eh? saw it coming as soon as they announced expansion. not going to be the only rivalry that "dies" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herb Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 On 8/30/2024 at 8:09 PM, cadillacattack said: too bad our series came to an end, eh? Now whose barn am I supposed to light on fire? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eq4bits Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 GEAUX!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadillacattack Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 2 hours ago, Herb said: Now whose barn am I supposed to light on fire? lol ….. I was there that night, at the upper level of Section 21 … perfect view of the entire fire …felt the heat anybody see any glass marlins around? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadillacattack Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 9 hours ago, Nutriaitch said: Hey Caddy, nice of you to drop by. Quit being a stranger I wish you a healthy season, but not a happy one saw it coming as soon as they announced expansion. not going to be the only rivalry that "dies" howdy, Nootch …. will do, friend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutriaitch Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 17 minutes ago, cadillacattack said: anybody see any glass marlins around? lol wow! digging up the old memories now. well played my friend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchertiger Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 18 minutes ago, Nutriaitch said: wow! digging up the old memories now. well played my friend Wow. That’s like ancient !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dachsie Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 Great to see you Caddy! Keep on stopping by! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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