USC Football Game 3: Quick Look at Louisiana

USC’s first “Quick Look” preview for 2026 centers on Louisiana, which enters the game 1-0 after a 38-7 season-opening win over Lamar. USC is 2-0 and comes off a late-night kickoff following extra rest. The late-night matchup at the Coliseum will be the first meeting between the two programs. ESPN FPI lists Louisiana at No. 94 with a win projection of 7.4-4.8, while ESPN Analytics gives USC a 96.9% chance to win. Offensively, Louisiana relies on dual-threat QB D’Wayne “Lunch” Winfield, who threw for 1,555 yards and 11 TDs in 2025 but completed 58.8% with seven interceptions. The Cajuns turned the ball over 19 times in 2025.