Stephen A. Smith is not ready to write off LSU in Saturday night’s showdown with Clemson.
The Week 1 matchup in Baton Rouge is shaping up as one of the biggest games on the 2026 college football slate, with both teams looking to recover from 7-6 seasons in 2025. Clemson enters with Dabo Swinney beginning his 19th year at the helm, while LSU is moving into the Lane Kiffin era after Kiffin took over the program right before the College Football Playoff started last year.
LSU has spent plenty of time in the spotlight this offseason, and more than a few people have wondered whether the noise has become a distraction. Smith doesn’t sound convinced.
“We’re being a bit premature when we bring up the fact that, oh, we’ve heard nothing about Clemson. That don’t mean LSU ain’t going to be ready now,” Smith said on “First Take.” “LSU may very well be ready, and if they’re ready Saturday night, and they give it to Clemson, what are we going to say then?”
He doubled down with the same message: “LSU may very well be ready. … LSU is coming!”
There’s still plenty of work ahead for LSU, but the program is clearly focused on getting Kiffin’s tenure off to a strong start before the schedule tightens later in the year. The Tigers and Tigers will meet Saturday night in primetime, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.
ET on ABC. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit are on the call.
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Clemson Heads Into Death Valley With LSU Bragging Rights On The Line
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LSU also enters this one looking different under new head coach Lane Kiffin, who has reshaped the roster with a heavy transfer influx and added quarterback Sam Leavitt among the key newcomers. For Clemson, the trip is about more than a road game. It is another chance to answer an old debate on familiar ground, where the Death Valley label has been a point of pride for both programs and the winner gets a little more bragging rights to carry away. [Read more 🡒]