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CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 30: T.J. Moore #1 of the Clemson Tigers attempts to get the ball against Mansoor Delane #4 and Jardin Gilbert #2 of the LSU Tigers during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Katie Januck/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Last year, when LSU opened its season away at Clemson, hope was not too high. Head coach Brian Kelly had one more season to prove himself, and the team had really struggled to open up the season. Clemson also looked like a potential playoff team filled with NFL talent. It was going to be a tough battle for LSU, but somehow, someway, the Tigers got it done.
At the time, this was a win that could set up LSU for success, but it turns out both teams were much worse than expected. LSU ended the season 7-6, 10th in the SEC, and fired Kelly, while Clemson also finished 7-6, 8th in the ACC, but kept Dabo Swinney as head coach.
Both teams are entering the 2026 season with something to prove, but instead of LSU being a bit of an underdog as they were last season, Clemson will go into this matchup as the underdog. After losing their QB, Clemson will have to rely on Christopher Vizzina, who was already named the starter and will be in that role for the first time in his college career. The good news for Clemson is that their defense may be better than last season’s, which should help, but the bad news is LSU is not the same team as they were.
After hiring Lane Kiffin, bringing in QB Sam Leavitt, and completely rebuilding the roster, LSU is much better on paper. Losing talent to the NFL never helps, but LSU has done a really great job filling its needs through the transfer portal, and Kiffin is a better coach than Kelly.
It may be a bit early to say who will win this game, but based on the improvements each squad has made, LSU is rightfully the favorite.
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