Clemson will have the opportunity to prove its critics wrong as they prepare to face No. 11 LSU this Saturday night in Baton Rouge. This highly anticipated matchup has drawn significant attention, particularly from ESPN’s College GameDay analysts, who have all favored the home team, LSU, in their predictions.
Desmond Howard, Nick Saban, and Pat McAfee, along with celebrity guest picker Lainey Wilson, have all sided with the LSU Tigers, highlighting the challenges Clemson will face in this contest. Howard expressed particular concern about Clemson's inexperienced quarterback, suggesting that this could lead to a difficult evening for the team. He stated, “There’s no way you’re going to come in here, with an inexperienced quarterback, and go up against this defense that a scout told me has at least four first-rounders that [defensive coordinator] Blake Baker has. I think that Clemson loses this game big to LSU tonight.”
Nick Saban, while acknowledging the improvements made by Clemson under head coach Dabo Swinney, ultimately echoed Howard's sentiments. He praised Swinney's efforts to rebound from a disappointing previous season, noting, “I think Clemson is going to be a much-improved team this year. I really do.” However, Saban emphasized that LSU possesses too many offensive weapons, stating, “But to me, LSU has too much firepower. They’ve got a good defensive team. Sam Leavitt is a good quarterback. [Tight end] Trey’Dez Green is a mismatch guy.” He concluded that if LSU can establish a balanced offense, they will be contenders for a national championship.
Pat McAfee took a more circuitous route to his prediction but ultimately landed on LSU as well. He began by referencing Clemson's storied history under Swinney, remarking, “Dabo Swinney has won a national championship before, I will have you know.” However, he quickly pivoted to the present, stating, “I think no! Give me LSU!” McAfee believes that the beginning of Lane Kiffin’s tenure at LSU could lead to a significant performance, suggesting that the Tigers are poised to make a serious run this season.
McAfee further amplified his prediction, envisioning an electric atmosphere in Death Valley, where over 100,000 fans are expected to create an intense environment. He boldly predicted that LSU could win by a substantial margin, saying, “What you’re gonna watch tonight in Death Valley, in front of over a hundred thousand drunk folks, is gonna be electricity.”
Clemson enters this contest as a double-digit underdog, marking their first trip to Baton Rouge. Historically, LSU has the edge in their all-time series, leading 4-1, although Clemson's sole victory remains a memorable one, a narrow 25-24 win in the 2012 Peach Bowl. The two teams also faced off last season in Clemson, where LSU narrowly escaped with a 17-10 victory.
As the game approaches, Clemson will look to silence the doubters and prove the GameDay panel wrong in one of college football's most challenging environments. The stakes are high for both teams as they aim to establish their dominance early in the season.
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