Clemson vs LSU NCAAF Week 1 Preview and Prediction September 5, 2026
Posted 9 hours ago | Betting Previews and Predictions, Featured, NCAAF | 0 comments
CLEM vs LSU September 5, 2026 @ Baton Rouge, LA
Opening Betting Odds
Spread: LSU -10, CLEM +10
Moneyline: LSU -400, CLEM +310
Total: 50.5
Clemson vs LSU Preview
The college football world was rocked by the news that Lane Kiffin was leaving Ole Miss to take the job at LSU, just as the Rebels were preparing for the College Football Playoffs. Kiffin was given a war chest to load up on talent, and he has a proven track record.
Dabo Swinney is the polar opposite of Lane Kiffin, and this game will be a battle of competing philosophies. Dabo doesn’t believe in assembling a team of hired guns, he likes to build his program from the ground up.
Most people would say that the game has changed, and Dabo is a dinosaur who is stuck in his ways. Both these coaches have a pair of National Championship rings, but Dabo earned his as a head coach while Lane Kiffin was along for the ride as Nick Saban’s offensive coordinator.
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Clemson Betting Preview
- Head coach: Dabo Swinney
- Offensive coordinator: Chad Morris
- Defensive coordinator: Tom Allen
- 7-6 Overall in 2025
- 4-4 in the ACC in 2025
- 5-8 ATS in 2025
There are plenty of question marks surrounding the quarterback situation at Clemson, with Chris Vizzina stepping up to replace Cade Klubnik. He has spent the last three seasons as the backup behind Klubnik, and he did get a chance to start one game last season.
Vizzina threw for 317 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions on 29-of-42 passing in a 35-24 loss to SMU filling in for Klubnik. He will be throwing to a talented receiving corps with both Bryant Wesco and T.J. Moore expected to be future NFL draft picks. Dabo dipped into the transfer portal bringing in seven new starters on the defense.
The Tigers regular season win total is set at 7.5, and there are three teams with shorter odds to win the ACC.
LSU Betting Preview
- Head coach: Lane Kiffin
- Offensive coordinator: Charlie Weiss Jr.
- Defensive coordinator: Blake Baker
- 7-6 Overall in 2025
- 3-5 in the SEC in 2025
- 4-9 ATS in 2025
Kiffin went out and got Sam Leavitt from Arizona State to take over at quarterback. He’s coming off a foot injury that limited him to just seven games last year. He will have a big target to throw to, with 6″7 tight end Trey’Dez Green returning after catching 33 passes for 433 yards and seven touchdowns last year. He’s going to be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
The Tigers spared no expense, getting the top edge rusher in the portal (Princewill Umanmielen) as well as the top left tackle in the portal (Jordan Seaton). The defense is loaded with skilled players and returning talent like linebacker Whit Weeks. Blake Baker has established himself as one of the best defensive coordinators in the country, and he should field another solid defense in 2026.
While Kiffin has all the talent in the world, he’s going to need every bit of it. Ole Miss had one of the softest schedules in the SEC the past two seasons, but LSU doesn’t get any breaks. They have the 11th toughest schedule in the country in 2026.
Clemson vs LSU Betting Trends
- LSU is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 overall.
- The Under is 4-1 in LSU last 5 overall.
- The Under is 3-0 in the last 3 head to head.
- Clemson is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
- Clemson is 20-13 ATS in their last 33 as an underdog.
PREDICTION: CLEMSON 28 – LSU 31
The expectations are sky high for Lane Kiffin in his first season at LSU, but this is a tricky spot for a team with so many new faces. Clemson might be at a disadvantage in terms of pure talent on the roster, but they have the continuity with players and coaches that are familiar with the system. Clemson was only an underdog in two games last year, and they covered in both of those spots. Dabo is 20-13 ATS as an underdog as the head coach of the Tigers. We are predicting an LSU win but a Clemson cover.
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