Lane Kiffin’s debut as LSU’s new head coach is finally here, and man, has it been a wild ride just to get to kickoff. For the second straight year, it’s Tigers versus Tigers to open the college football season, but this time all eyes are on Baton Rouge for Kiffin’s first game at the helm. Beyond the polarizing new coach, the program’s summer was absolutely dominated by a massive legal battle between the school and the SEC, all over the eligibility of players who dipped their toes in the NFL Draft pool and even spent time in training camp. Seriously, who starts a season like this?
The Chaos Kiffin Brings to LSU
After Kiffin’s chaotic exit from his previous stop more than nine months ago, the noise around Baton Rouge has been constant. Clemson’s own head coach, Dabo Swinney, didn’t hold back, calling LSU’s efforts to add those NFL-curious players “embarrassing.” You know things are spicy when rival coaches are throwing shade before Week 1. All that off-field drama means Saturday is finally the night when the actual football takes center stage for LSU. You have to wonder what kind of team Kiffin is bringing out there with all that swirling around.
Clemson’s Underdog Hunt
Standing in Kiffin’s way is a familiar face, Dabo Swinney, heading into his 18th full season leading Clemson. While Swinney is a legend, his squad is entering this season with lower expectations than they’re used to, at least from the outside. Can you believe it? Clemson is unranked in the preseason AP Poll for the first time since way back in 2011. Plus, they’ve got a new signal-caller in Christopher Vizzina. All that means Swinney’s Tigers definitely have something to prove under the lights on Saturday night. It’s not often you see Clemson in this position, and that makes them dangerous.
This massive season opener kicks off on Saturday, September 5, at 7:30 p.m. ET (that’s 6:30 p.m. local time) straight from Baton Rouge. You can catch all the action nationally on ABC, with Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit on the call, joined by Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge on the sidelines. If you’re cutting the cord, you can stream it live on fubo or DIRECTV, both offering free trials, or just jump on the ESPN app. It’s the first game of the year for both teams, and the energy is going to be off the charts. Who are you betting on to come out swinging?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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