USC Football: Matt Leinart Makes Bold Lakers Prediction

Ricardo Sandoval | Apr 17, 2024

Heisman-winning quarterback Matt Leinart, a member of the Fox Big Noon Kickoff crew, walks the CU / Cris Tiller / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former USC superstar quarterback and 2004 Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart has made a bold prediction for the Los Angeles Lakers' upcoming first round playoff series.

Leinart says the Lakers will win their upcoming first-round series over the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, in seven games. The 40-year-old tweeted this after the Lakers' 110-106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans during the play-in tournament on Tuesday:

@Lakers in 7

— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) April 17, 2024

This is as bold as a prediction can be. The Lakers have lost eight games in a row to the Nuggets, including a sweep in last year's Western Conference Finals. The Lakers can't seem to slay the dragon, but Leinart believes in his team and is going out on a limb.

Leinart is a Southern California native from Santa Anta, California, and attended legendary SoCal high school powerhouse Mater Dei High School.

The former Trojan is all in on LA, and we respect it.

Leinart knows a thing or two about tiles, as he is a one-time BCS national champion and a two-time AP national champion with USC. In his legendary college career, Leinart completed 807 completions, a completion percentage of 64.8%, 10693 passing yards, 99 passing touchdowns, and a passing efficiency rate 159.9.