No. 11 LSU begins a new chapter Saturday night when Lane Kiffin makes his head-coaching debut against Clemson at Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC in Baton Rouge.
The season-opening primetime matchup gives Clemson an immediate opportunity to answer last year’s 17-10 home loss to LSU. Clemson carried a 10-3 lead into halftime but managed only 31 rushing yards and did not score after the break as LSU completed the comeback.
Neither program maintained its lofty preseason standing after that meeting. Clemson finished 7-6 and closed the year with a 22-10 loss to Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl, while LSU posted the same record following a 38-35 defeat against Houston in the Texas Bowl.
Those disappointing seasons led to significant changes on both sidelines. LSU replaced Brian Kelly with Kiffin, who went 55-19 over six years at Ole Miss and guided the Rebels to an 11-1 regular-season record in 2025. His final Ole Miss offense averaged 37 points and more than 498 yards per game.
Kiffin brought in one of the country’s most highly regarded transfer classes, led by former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt. The dual-threat junior has accumulated 4,652 passing yards, 36 passing touchdowns, 816 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground during his college career. Leavitt helped Arizona State win the Big 12 and reach the College Football Playoff in 2024 before a foot injury limited him to seven appearances last season.
Clemson will also introduce a new starting quarterback and offensive coordinator. Christopher Vizzina takes over for Cade Klubnik after spending three seasons in a reserve role. His only previous start came against SMU last October, when he completed 29 of 42 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns.
Vizzina will operate an offense coordinated by Chad Morris, who returned to Clemson after previously holding the position from 2011 through 2014. Clemson averaged 36.3 points and 468.5 yards during Morris’ original tenure, which included an ACC championship and four consecutive seasons with at least 10 victories.
Saturday will mark the sixth meeting between the two programs. LSU leads the series 4-1 after winning each of the last three matchups, including the 2019 National Championship game and last year’s defensive battle in Clemson.
Clemson vs. No. 11 LSU Current Odds
LSU enters its first game under Kiffin as a 10.5-point favorite at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook:
- Point Spread: Clemson +10.5 (-120) | LSU -10.5 (+100)
- Moneyline: Clemson +300 | LSU -400
- Total: Over 50.5 (-110) | Under 50.5 (-110)
Referenced odds subject to change.
Best Bet for Clemson vs. No. 11 LSU
Clemson +10.5 (-120): LSU deserves to be favored at home, but Clemson getting more than a touchdown offers value in a matchup between two teams debuting new starting quarterbacks and altered offensive systems.
Last year’s meeting demonstrated how Clemson’s defense can keep this matchup within reach. LSU finished with 354 total yards but scored only 17 points, with Clemson holding the lead until midway through the third quarter.
Clemson’s performance away from home also provides encouragement. The Tigers won four of their five road games last season and finished with consecutive victories at North Carolina, Boston College, Louisville and South Carolina. Their only road defeat was a three-point loss at Georgia Tech.
The challenge will be slowing a more mobile LSU quarterback and an offense now directed by Kiffin. Leavitt brings considerably more starting experience than Vizzina, but he is playing his first game since suffering a season-ending foot injury last October. LSU will also be integrating several transfers into a new system against a Clemson defense that allowed 20.5 points per game in 2025.
Clemson has its own offensive questions, but Vizzina showed he could handle starting responsibilities when he threw for three touchdowns against SMU. He will also have established targets Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore available as Morris begins his second stint calling plays for the program.
LSU may ultimately celebrate Kiffin’s debut with a victory, but Clemson’s defense and recent success on the road should give the visitors a chance to remain competitive into the fourth quarter. We’ll take Clemson +10.5 (-120) in Saturday night’s rematch.
- Best Bet: Clemson +10.5 (-120)
Betting Splits at Hard Rock Bet
LSU is receiving the majority of the action on both the moneyline and point spread, while the Under holds the largest difference between tickets and handle:
- Moneyline: LSU has drawn 67.1% of all tickets and 81.6% of the money.
- Spread: LSU -10.5 is pulling in 69% of the bets and 85.9% of the handle.
- Total: Under 50.5 is receiving 53.3% of all wagers and 73.4% of the dollars.
Clemson vs. No. 11 LSU Game Info
- šļø Location: Tiger Stadium – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- š Date: Saturday, September 5
- ā° Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- šŗ Where to Watch: ABC
More Ways to Bet
Looking for more ways to stay in the action? Florida players can find Real Money Games powered by Past Motor Racing, available exclusively on Hard Rock Bet, a lineup of fast, engaging real money games you can jump into anytime while you follow your bets.
Offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in FL. Offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital, LLC, in all other states. Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, FL, IL, IN, MI, NJ, OH, TN or VA to play. Terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling? In FL, call 1-833-PLAYWISE. In IN, if you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-9-WITH-IT. In AZ, OH, & VA, call 1-800-MY-RESET.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1ā800āGAMBLER (CO, IL, MI, NJ, TN)
