(Photo: COSM)
Campus Clash
(9) LSU Tigers at (4) Clemson Tigers
LSU:
When Brian Kelly left South Bend for his next opportunity in Baton Rouge, he immediately became a coach with a bullseye on his back—because if you don’t win in the SEC, there’s a good chance you won’t last. A perfect example of that is Jimbo Fisher, who ultimately lost his job after taking over at Texas A&M. Kelly’s first season in 2022 was a promising start. He notched a signature win against Alabama and led LSU to the SEC Championship Game, where they fell short to eventual national champion Georgia. Last season, however, was the first time the Tigers didn’t win ten games under Kelly. They finished 9–4, capping their season with a victory in the Texas Bowl over the Baylor Bears. The SEC is always a tough conference to analyze and predict, and this year could be even more competitive. The Texas Longhorns are now in the fold, Georgia is still a powerhouse, and who knows what Alabama will do in Kalen DeBoer’s second season in Tuscaloosa? I expect the Florida Gators to be improved as well—and then there’s LSU right in the mix. Garrett Nussmeier is back as the starting quarterback after a phenomenal year, throwing for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns. But as expected, there’s been some turnover on offense. LSU will be without standout offensive lineman Will Campbell, tight end Mason Taylor, and, tragically, wide receiver Kyren Lacy, who was their number one target last season. On defense, LSU returns Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins Jr.—a duo that could form one of the best linebacker tandems in the country. This Saturday night, they travel to South Carolina to face a hungry Clemson team
Clemson:
The Tigers returned to the College Football Playoff last year for the first time since the Trevor Lawrence era, a time when Clemson was a dominant force. I’m still trying to figure this team out. Dabo Swinney remains a solid head coach, and Death Valley is still one of the strongest home-field advantages in college football. But honestly, this Clemson team doesn’t intimidate me like it did during the Lawrence days—when you knew they had one of the best players in the country and a relentless defense. That said, Clemson’s defense is still elite and should remain that way under Dabo’s leadership. The offense is where the questions lie. I did like what I saw from quarterback Cade Klubnik last season. He threw for over 3,000 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. There’s a lot of optimism around him, especially with an elite trio of returning wide receivers. The biggest concern is the running back position. With no clear starter, Clemson has moved Adam Randall from wide receiver to RB1. It’ll be interesting to see how that transition plays out. In an ACC that’s considered “down” this year, Clemson has a real shot to run away with the conference. But, as always, health and key injuries could derail their season. They’ll welcome Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers to town for a massive Week 1 showdown on Saturday night.
LSU X-Factor: Barion Brown-
Barion transferred from Kentucky to join Brian Kelly in Baton Rouge. Not only will he be a key piece in this game, but he’s also expected to play a major role throughout the season. He previously played on some underwhelming offenses in Lexington, so it’s unclear what he’ll bring to LSU—but this time, he’ll be catching passes from a much better quarterback. Paired with Aaron Anderson, Barion could help form a dynamic receiving duo for Garrett Nussmeier.
Clemson X-Factor: T.J. Parker-
One thing is for sure: Clemson always produces elite defensive players—and T.J. Parker is next in line. Last season, he was outstanding, recording 52 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. His explosive first step and violent hands allow him to tear through blockers with ease. He’s involved in every play, whether it’s pressuring the quarterback or stopping the run. Watch out for him on Saturday night.
Final Thoughts:
The last time I previewed this matchup was in January 2020, when these two programs were battling for the national championship. Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence were the starting quarterbacks, and LSU capped off one of the best seasons in college football history with a title. This time around, it’s a highly anticipated Week 1 clash featuring two potential future NFL quarterbacks in Nussmeier and Klubnik. I’ll be watching closely to see if Clemson’s offensive line can hold up against LSU’s physical defensive front—and whether they can establish any kind of run game. LSU enters this game under pressure, having lost five straight season openers. Clemson, meanwhile, will need to keep their heads on a swivel against a fast, aggressive LSU defense that will swarm all over the field. I expect LSU to test Clemson’s secondary with the passing game throughout the night. To beat this LSU defense, you need a balanced offensive attack—and Clemson lacks a true RB1. Brian Kelly is looking to end his streak of season-opening losses, having dropped openers to USC (in Vegas last year) and back-to-back games against Florida State in 2022 and 2023. This time, I think he gets it done.
