In one of the most-hyped season openers of the Dabo Swinney era, the No. 4 Clemson Tigers host No. 9 LSU on Saturday in the first of a home-and-home series between two schools with the same stadium nickname.
Clemson has lost its last two games that kicked off a new season, while LSU is still looking for its first season-opening win under head coach Brian Kelley, entering his fourth season with the Bayou Bengals. Clemson is 4-2 against AP Top 10 teams, including three consecutive wins, inside their Death Valley.
The game is sold out and Clemson fans are encouraged to wear orange. Over 81,000 will fill the stadium, while thousands more will congregate outside.
"“Let's make sure we got a stadium full of orange... I love the purple, but let’s all wear the orange. Let's fill up in that orange so they don’t mistake it for anybody else.”"Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney
Be Early. Be Loud. Wear Orange 🐅 pic.twitter.com/RW6j6yAv6I
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) August 27, 2025
Tiger time
Where: Clemson Memorial Stadium
When: Saturday, August 30, 2025
Kickoff time: 7:52 p.m.
Broadcast time: 7:30 p.m.
Where to find the game: ABC
Parking lots: Open at 8 a.m.
Gates: Open at 5:30 p.m.
Tiger Walk: Begins at 5:40 p.m.
Predictions
Zach Lentz: LSU has the firepower and the talent to make this a four-quarter battle. Their ability to convert on third downs will keep them in the game, and they will undoubtedly move the ball against this tough Clemson defense.
But you can't ignore the math. 81,500 rabid fans vs. 11 LSU players.
In a hostile environment, the team that makes the fewest mistakes wins. And based on last year's evidence, that team is Clemson. LSU will fight valiantly, but a critical second-half turnover—a fumble on a promising drive or a game-sealing interception—will be the difference. Clemson's discipline and opportunistic defense will rule the day.
Final Score: Clemson 31, LSU 24
Brad Senkiw: This is about as good as college football can get this early in the season. Both teams will feel that pressure at the onset, and with no real preseason to speak of in this sport, mistakes are going to happen. But sometimes football is simple, and the game is won in the trenches. Expect Clemson to have the edge in terms of continuity and experience. LSU has a ton of talent up front, but much of it hasn't played together yet.
That'll make a huge difference in this game. So will Clemson's passing game, which will be what everyone is talking about after the game.
Neither team has looked especially sharp in openers the last few seasons, but Clemson is the more proven team on paper, and Tom Allen will have something up his sleeve for Garrett Nussmeier. And as Zach stated above, atmosphere will win out.
Final score: Clemson 28, LSU 24