The stage doesn’t get bigger than this. No. 4 Clemson. vs No. 9 LSU. Two of college football’s most recognizable names under the lights of Death Valley to open the 2025 season. Saturday night at 7:30 on ABC, Memorial Stadium transforms into the epicenter of the sport, and one of these Tiger teams is going to make a national statement before Labor Day. With ESPN’s primetime team of Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit on the call with Holly Rowe and Molly McGrath being the sideline reporters for the game, you know it’s bound to be a good one.
And here’s some added drama: LSU has lost each of its last five season openers, while Clemson hasn’t won a season opener since 2022. One streak will snap on Saturday night, the question is, whose?
Let’s break down what to watch for on Saturday night in Death Valley.
Trench Warfare: LSU’s Rebuilt O-Line vs. Clemson’s Ferocious D-Line
The storyline everyone is watching starts at the line of scrimmage in the trenches.
LSU rolls into this opener breaking in four new starters up front. It’s an area Brian Kelly has worked hard to stabilize, but facing Clemson’s experienced defensive line as your first test is about as brutal as it gets.
That group will square off against a Clemson front led by Peter Woods and T.J. Parker, two of the nastiest disruptors in the ACC. Add in the relentless motor of Sammy Brown and Wade Woodaz at linebacker, and new defensive coordinator Tom Allen has the pieces to unleash constant pressure.
If Clemson’s defensive line controls the trenches, it won’t just disrupt LSU’s rhythm, it could take over the entire game.
The Durham Factor
While LSU’s offensive line is new, one thing is certain: running back Caden Durham is the real deal.
The sophomore back made a name for himself last season, racking up 140 carries for 753 yards and 6 touchdowns, while also catching 28 passes for 260 yards and 2 more scores. He’s explosive, versatile, and capable of wearing down a defense over four quarters.
Durham’s ability to find daylight will be critical. If he gets going, LSU can open up their passing attack and keep Garrett Nussmeier comfortable. If Clemson’s front bottles him up? LSU could be forced into a one-dimensional, uphill battle against one of the best defenses in the nation. Clemson struggled last season with stopping the run and that has been their area of focus since Tom Allen has arrived in Tiger Town.
Klubnik and the Receivers Ready for the Spotlight
On the offensive side of things, Clemson fans have plenty to be excited about with Garrett Riley’s offense in his third season.
Cade Klubnik steps into his senior year confident and composed, and he’s surrounded by a wide receiver corps that looks deeper and more dangerous than it has in years.
Antonio Williams is the polished route runner and steady go-to target who can move the chains in critical moments.
TJ Moore is the big-bodied receiver with a knack for winning contested catches and stretching the field vertically.
Bryant Wesco Jr. is known for his smooth and fluid route running, which allows him to create separation from defenders. He can reach another gear at the top of his routes to gain that crucial separation.
Tyler Brown is the electrifying playmaker, that is back this season after an ankle injury, who brings speed, shiftiness, and the ability to score from anywhere on the field
If Klubnik and this receiver group find rhythm early, Clemson’s offense could make a loud statement against LSU’s secondary.
Defense vs. Defense
Make no mistake,this won’t just be a shootout. Both teams boast defenses that can dictate games.
Clemson’s strength lies in its front seven, a group that blends veteran leadership with raw athleticism. Allen’s scheme is built to attack, and there’s no better stage to showcase it than a national spotlight against LSU.
LSU’s defense has been retooled with help from the transfer portal, adding instant-impact players like safety A.J. Haulcy, who will now have to wait til the second half of the game to play after an ejection during last season’s bowl game with Houston. You also can’t forget about the leader of the LSU defense in linebacker Whit Weeks who will look to command his defense against an explosive Clemson offense.The Bayou Bengals may have some new faces, but they bring speed and physicality. Their task? Slow down a Clemson attack that finally has balance and depth across the board.
What to Watch
Trenches: LSU’s inexperienced offensive line vs. Clemson’s relentless defensive line.
Durham’s impact: Can LSU’s star back crack 100 yards, or will Clemson make him a non-factor?
Klubnik’s command: Can Clemson’s QB pick apart LSU’s secondary with his deep WR corps?
Defensive tone-setters: Which defense lands the first big punch?
Dabo vs. Kelly: A Battle of Philosophies
Saturday night isn’t just about the players on the field, it’s also a chess match between two of the sport’s most well-known coaches.
Dabo Swinney has built Clemson around loyalty to his players, development, and consistency in his staff, famously resisting the heavy use of the transfer portal.
Brian Kelly, on the other hand, has embraced the modern roster-building era, aggressively using the portal to reload LSU’s talent.
Prediction
This one has the feel of a heavyweight fight where every round matters. LSU has weapons, Garrett Nussmeier’s arm, Durham’s balance, and speed at receiver, but the question marks on the offensive line are too glaring against Clemson’s ferocious defensive front.
In an orangeed out Death Valley, under the lights, with 80,000 strong behind them, expect Clemson to control the trenches, force key stops, and let Klubnik and his receivers put the game away late.
Prediction: Clemson 27, LSU 23.
Saturday night won’t just be about starting 1–0. It’s about sending a message. And in front of a roaring home crowd, Clemson has the chance to remind the college football world exactly who they are.
