I am thinking LSU could overtake USC by the end of the year

They could overtake them.

And should, imo. USC still hasn't played a hard schedule. IT's not TCU-like - but for a major football conference team, it's very easy.

LSU, oth, has one of the hardest schedules in the country.

Their real problem is that they might lose their quality win points in the SEC title game for beating GA for a 2nd time (stupid rule).

From what I've heard, USC has an inside track, but it's a realistic possibility that LSU will be there. Which, imo, they deserve based on the evidence.