USC vs LSU Player Props & Best Bets: Taylor, Jackson Shine in Tigers Opener

Prop bet #1: Kaleb Jackson Over 57.5 rushing yards

-115 at BetMGM

The LSU Tigers will rely on two backs for their ground game this season, but only one has game-breaking ability. Josh Williams is a solid running back but hasn't shown the ability to hit home runs.

If you hit Kaleb Jackson, odds are he’ll hit back. If you don’t believe me, ask the Mississippi State defender he obliterated last season... or the Auburn safety he ran over as he rumbled for a long touchdown. 

LSU is very high on its sophomore running back, who added 35 pounds of muscle this offseason. That makes an explosive runner even more dangerous after he averaged better than 5.0 yards per carry in 2023.

The USC Trojans allowed 100+ rushing yards in every game they played last year, and even a change in defensive coordinator won’t be enough to slow down this freight train. LSU coach Brian Kelly has made it known he plans to establish the run on Sunday, and I’m anticipating Jackson ending up with the bulk of those carries.

Only once last season did Jackson receive double-digit carries, and he ran for more than 60 yards in that contest. Running behind a powerful offensive line that will give him avenues to dart through, I’ll back him to easily clear this number. 

Prop bet #2: Mason Taylor Over 39.5 receiving yards

-115 at BetMGM

A great tight end is a quarterback’s best friend and Garret Nussmeier had one in his bowl game start. He and Mason Taylor connected seven times, with the tight end gaining 88 yards on the day. 

Joe Sloan has made it no secret he’s going to find ways to get the ball into his hands, as the LSU coaching staff has hyped him up as one of the best tight ends in the country. He’s got a 6-foot-6 frame that causes mismatches with his size and speed as he averaged nearly 10 yards per catch a season ago.

USC struggled mightily with tight ends in 2023, especially in the red zone. And while their new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn should help that improve, he’s also big on blitzing and creating havoc. That makes a reliable tight end even more important and should increase the frequency with which Nussmeier looks to find him.

Taylor caught 4+ passes in four games last year and had 39+ yards in three of those games. With a higher pecking order in the offensive game plan, I’m expecting 50+ receiving yards on Sunday which makes taking the Over at this number an easy play.

Prop bet #3: Zachariah Branch anytime touchdown

-120 at BetMGM

There's speed to be found on both teams on Sunday, but there may not be a more explosive player on the field than Zachariah Branch. An elite athlete with game-breaking speed, Branch scored touchdowns in four different manners a season ago, with rushing and receiving scores on offense added to kick and punt return touchdowns on special teams.

Branch had only three touchdowns on offense, but he also touched the ball just 40 times for the season. That’s going to be different in 2024, with Lincoln Riley publicly challenging him to be more impactful on the offensive end, mentioning his improvement as a ball carrier specifically.

This is important, as one of the ways they utilized him last season was on jet sweep motion. LSU’s secondary was suspect last season, to say the least, and they had issues tackling in the open field. 

Branch should get touches in both the run and pass game, and playing on the turf at Allegiant Stadium gives him a fast track on which to turn on the jets. Look for him to find his way into the endzone at some point in what should be a high-scoring affair.