(Photo: Cosm)

Saturday Spotlight

Clemson Tigers at (11) LSU Tigers

Clemson (2025 Record: 7-6):

I really don’t know what to think of them anymore, and the crazy thing is that, at one time, they were one of the three or four best teams in college football. I’ve always said this was a team that brought intensity every week, and if you were going to face them, you’d better bring your lunch pail because you were going to have to earn every yard to beat them. The biggest issue I’ve noticed is their inconsistency at the most important position: quarterback. They’ve struggled to find an answer since Trevor Lawrence. D.J. Uiagalelei showed flashes of being the guy but never put it all together. Then came all the hype surrounding Cade Klubnik when he was named the starting quarterback. He was also hit or miss, but I will say his best season came in 2024, when Clemson last made the College Football Playoff. That year, he threw 36 touchdown passes. There was a lot of hype surrounding this group just a season ago, but it cooled off after a disappointing year. However, I actually think entering this season with far less hype could be a blessing in disguise and here’s why. They’re no longer under the brightest lights, and the expectation from many is simply wondering when they’ll lose multiple games early in the season and if they were to struggle at any point during the season, the noise wouldn’t be as loud. Despite the down year in 2025, I still believe Dabo Swinney has enough talent on this roster to compete. Tonight, Clemson makes the trip to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for a primetime showdown.

LSU (2025 Record: 7-6):

I just had a feeling Brian Kelly wasn’t going to pan out. Don’t get me wrong—I think he’s a good football coach. Everywhere he’s been, he’s won, from his days at Cincinnati to becoming the winningest head coach in Notre Dame history. When he took the job in Baton Rouge, the spotlight intensified because not everyone is cut out to coach in the SEC. Entering last season, I had Garrett Nussmeier penciled in to win the Heisman Trophy and LSU making the College Football Playoff. Instead, the Tigers struggled and ultimately fired Brian Kelly following the loss to Texas A&M. For most of last season, Lane Kiffin’s name was connected to several head coaching vacancies, and on November 30th, 2025, he accepted the LSU job. I understand coaches have to take advantage of opportunities when they come their way, but I didn’t necessarily care for how he handled things while at Ole Miss because it became an unnecessary distraction. A simple, “I’ll address everything once our season is over,” would’ve been enough for me or answering questions once the news and rumors began to circulate. Lane takes over a program that hasn’t made the College Football Playoff since the 2019 season, which also happens to be the last time the Tigers won a national championship. I think about the coaches who have led this program—Les Miles, Ed Orgeron, and, in my opinion, the greatest of them all, Nick Saban. They all have one thing in common: they won national championships. This is the most pressure Lane Kiffin has faced as a head coach because, if he can’t guide LSU to the College Football Playoff within the next two years, I believe he’ll be out of a job. Tonight, the Tigers welcome another group of Tigers to Death Valley.

Clemson X-Factor: T.J. Moore

Without question, Clemson is going to have one of the best defenses in the country this season, as they usually do. What they’ll also need—not just tonight but throughout the season—is a player who can flip the momentum offensively, and that’s where T.J. Moore comes in. He’s more than capable of changing a game with just a handful of plays. At 6-foot-3, T.J. is built to win contested catches against SEC defensive backs. I expect LSU to load the box in an effort to slow Clemson’s running game, which could create favorable one-on-one opportunities for Moore on the outside. If he consistently wins those matchups, Clemson’s offense should have success, and LSU will be forced to adjust its coverage.

LSU X-Factor: Harlem Berry

Tonight, LSU begins a new era at quarterback with Sam Leavitt, the former Arizona State signal-caller. What’s one thing I always say? Don’t put everything on your quarterback’s shoulders. Balance is still the key, and that’s why Harlem Berry is my LSU X-factor. Harlem has the explosiveness to completely change a game. One long run can instantly become a touchdown. Clemson’s defense is built to pressure quarterbacks and force offenses into difficult passing situations, so if Berry can consistently produce on early downs, LSU’s offense will stay on schedule. If LSU plays with a lead, expect the Tigers to continue feeding Berry the football to wear down Clemson’s defense and close out the game.

Final Thoughts:

Week 1 is finally here! These two teams opened last season against each other in South Carolina, and LSU escaped Memorial Stadium with a seven-point victory in a defensive battle. More than a year later, they’ll meet again—this time in Baton Rouge—with Lane Kiffin making his debut as LSU’s head coach. This has the feel of a College Football Playoff-caliber matchup, even though it’s only Week 1. I believe this game comes down to two things: who wins the line of scrimmage and who avoids the costly mistake. For Clemson, getting T.J. Moore involved early against LSU’s talented secondary is critical. He needs to win those contested catches and create explosive plays. Clemson also has to keep Christopher Vizzina protected against an LSU defensive front capable of taking over a game, while consistently winning on first down to keep the pass rush from teeing off. For LSU, it starts with Harlem Berry. Feed him the football early and often to settle the offense, control the line of scrimmage, and force Clemson to drive the length of the field instead of allowing explosive plays.

Prediction:

LSU 30, Clemson 23