Saturday’s incredible Week 1 slate rolls on with a doozy in primetime between No. 9 LSU and No. 4 Clemson.

The compelling angles in this one are endless.

To name just a few, Tigers vs. Tigers features:

• a battle for who plays at the “real Death Valley”
• a clash between two Heisman Trophy favorites (LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier and Clemson QB Cade Klubnik)
• massive stakes for two teams that have recently struggled in Week 1 showcase matchups like this one (have you heard about Brian Kelly’s 0-3 record in Week 1 as LSU head coach or how Clemson vs. Georgia went last year?)

At FanDuel, as of August 30, LSU and Clemson boast identical national title winner odds (+1300). DraftKings, on the other hand, lists Clemson at +900 and LSU at +1400. At bet365, Clemson is +1000 and LSU is +1400.

Clemson is once again heavily favored to win the ACC title (Dabo Swinney’s team is available at as short as +105 odds at DraftKings), while LSU is between 6-to-1 and 7-to-1 to win the SEC, depending on the sportsbook.

LSU vs. Clemson Betting Odds

Clemson opened as a favorite of less than a field goal this summer, but the line has moved toward Klubnik and Co. ahead of kickoff.

How To Watch LSU vs. Clemson

• Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
• TV: ABC

LSU vs. Clemson Betting Analysis

• LSU 2024 record: 9-4 (5-3 SEC)
• Clemson 2024 record: 10-4 (7-1 ACC)

LSU Betting News, Outlook

The LSU offense has a lot to replace up front, including star left tackle Will Campbell. Still, the Tigers should once again be one of the highest-scoring teams in the country.

Nussmeier was among the most productive quarterbacks in the country a year ago. He’ll be leaning on a number of new faces, but LSU’s talent at receiver and running back is impressive.

RB Caden Durham flashed as a freshman. Between Durham, returning stud WR Aaron Anderson, Kentucky transfer Barion Brown and Oklahoma transfer Nic Anderson, Nussmeier and this offense will be tough to stop, as long as this talented but inexperienced O-line holds up.

That group will be tested right away in Week 1 by a Clemson D-line boasting two likely first-round picks in Peter Woods and TJ Parker.

The defense is what will likely determine whether LSU can contend in the SEC and beyond. The LSU D struggled massively in 2023. While it was better in 2024 in Blake Baker’s first year as defensive coordinator, it needs to take another step in 2025 for the Tigers to stay in the top 10.

The potential for a huge improvement is undeniable thanks to a massive infusion of talent via the transfer portal. LSU added big-time talent on the D-line and in the secondary, and it brings back two playmaking linebackers in Harold Perkins Jr. and Whit Weeks. If (yes, it’s a big if) it all comes together, look out.

Clemson Betting News, Outlook

Clemson might have the fewest holes/question marks of any team in the nation.

No one returns more experience than the Tigers (per ESPN’s Bill Connelly, Clemson returns 80 percent of last year’s production), and Woods, Parker, Klubnik are among a handful of players who are expected to be first-round draft picks next spring.

Klubnik’s top three receivers from a year ago — Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr. and TJ Moore — are all back, and the O-line is one of the most experienced in the nation.

Running back is the biggest uncertainty offensively. A converted wide receiver, senior Adam Randall, is the projected starter there.

Defensively, Woods, Parker and Purdue transfer Will Heldt form the latest loaded Clemson D-line. In the second and third levels, linebackers Sammy Brown and Wade Woodaz, as well as corner Avieon Terrell, are All-ACC talents. Terrell has a chance to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft despite standing just 5-foot-11.

Clemson made a change at defensive coordinator this offseason after underachieving in 2024, nabbing Tom Allen from Penn State. Allen is one of the most respected defensive coordinators in the country after leading an elite Nittany Lions D the last few years.

The ceiling for the Clemson defense is lofty, but this unit has to prove it after struggling at times in 2024, particularly against Georgia, Louisville, South Carolina, SMU in the ACC title game and Texas in the CFP.

The case for LSU pulling the upset in this game revolves in large part around concerns regarding Clemson’s ability to slow down an SEC offense.

LSU vs. Clemson Pick, Best Bets

While there’s a chance the Clemson pass rush just overwhelms LSU’s unproven O-line and controls this game, I think Nussmeier will find some answers and keep this one close.

I expect this game to come down to the wire. I’m not quite willing to pick against Clemson at home in front of what should be one of the best crowds this team has had in years, but I don’t quite like Swinney’s team to cover, especially not as 4.5-point favorites.

To me, the best bets for this matchup are LSU to cover the spread and the over on the fourth-quarter total, which is available anywhere from 13.5 to 16.5 as of Saturday morning.

Best bet:

• LSU +4.5 (-114 at FanDuel) — 1 unit
• 4th Quarter Over 14.5 (-105 at DraftKings) — 1 unit

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