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Why is LSU football playing USC in Las Vegas? Game part of Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic

No. 12 LSU football finds itself with an early test vs. No. 23 USC on Sunday, a matchup that on paper should put the cherry on top of what has been an exciting weekend of Power Four matchups in Week 1 of the 2024 college football season.

But it won't be happening in Death Valley at Tiger Stadium or in sunny California at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

So where will it take place?

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For the third consecutive season, LSU is set to open up the season on the road at a neutral site. This year, it will be newly joined Big Ten Conference member USC in Las Vegas on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 6:30 p.m. CT at Allegiant Stadium.

It is the first time that LSU and USC will battle each other on the gridiron since the 1984 season, when the Tigers evened the all-time series at 1-1 with a 23-3 win in Los Angeles.

Whether the Tigers will be able to meet the challenge vs. the Trojans and move to 1-0 for the first time under Brian Kelly remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure, Kelly alluded to last week at his media availability, in a time where NIL and conference realignment has taken college athletics into a new "wild wild west", these early Power 4 non-conference matchups could be on their way out, so enjoy them while they last.

Here's what you need to know on why LSU is playing USC in Las Vegas in Week 1, including the history of the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic and how to watch the Tigers vs. Trojans:

Watch LSU vs. USC football live with Fubo (free trial)

LSU vs. USC location

  • Stadium: Allegiant Stadium

  • Location: Las Vegas

LSU is taking on USC inside Allegiant Stadium, the home of the Las Vegas Raiders and site of Super Bowl 58, in Las Vegas. It has a capacity of 65,000 per the stadium's building stats website.

Why is LSU vs. USC football playing in Las Vegas?

Sunday night's showdown in Las Vegas between LSU and USC is part of the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic, an ESPN Events college football showcase game.

The game between the Tigers and Trojans was announced back in August of 2021 when each of the program's coaches — Kelly and USC's Lincoln Riley — were not in their current positions. At the time of the announcement, Kelly was still at Notre Dame and Riley was still at Oklahoma. Both would end up being hired at LSU and USC following the 2021 season.

"The opportunity to bring our team and the best fans in college football to Las Vegas is incredibly exciting," LSU athletic director Scott Woodward said in a statement. "We cannot wait to compete on the field and fill Allegiant Stadium with Tiger fans from across the country."

LSU was supposed to open up the 2024 season vs. UCLA before its game vs. USC was scheduled and announced. LSU and UCLA are set to play each other on Saturday, Sept. 21 in Baton Rouge.

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"We have moved the UCLA game," LSU deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry told the Lafayette Daily Advertiser in 2021. "It has worked out well. We're playing two great teams in the same month. ... It's going to be an exciting September for our fans. This is what the fans want - great home games and great road games against non-conference opponents."

This year is the first year that Modelo, the popular Mexican beer, is serving as the event's title sponsor. It was formerly known as the Vegas Kickoff Classic.

"We are pleased to welcome Modelo to the Vegas Kickoff Classic family," executive director of the Vegas Kickoff Classic and SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl John Saccenti said in a statement in July. "It’s an iconic brand that already has a major presence inside Allegiant Stadium with the Modelo Cantina Club and they are a perfect fit for this much-anticipated event in the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World."

It is the third straight season that LSU will open up the season against a Power 4 opponent at a neutral site, as the Tigers have taken on Florida State each of the last two years. LSU faced FSU at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans in 2022 and last year in Orlando, Florida at Camping World Stadium.

What channel is LSU vs. USC on tonight? TV channel, streaming options

ABC will air LSU vs. USC in the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic on Saturday. You can also stream the game on ESPN+ or on Fubo, which carries ABC and offers a free trial to select users.

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What time is LSU vs. USC on tonight?

  • Date: Sunday, Sept. 1

  • Time: 6:30 p.m. CT

The Tigers and Trojans will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, Sept. 1 from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

History of Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic

Sunday's game between the Tigers and Trojans is the second installment of the formerly known Vegas Kickoff Classic. The first Vegas Kickoff Classic took place in 2021 between BYU and Arizona, one in which the Cougars came out with a 24-16 victory over their now Big 12 opponent.

Here's a look at past results of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, including a future matchup in the showcase event:

  • 2021: BYU 24, Arizona 16

  • 2024: LSU vs. USC

  • 2027: Miami vs. Utah

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This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Why is LSU football facing USC in the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic?