The Lane Kiffin era at LSU is officially set to begin with fireworks. On September 5th, Death Valley will play host to a marquee matchup as LSU welcomes Dabo Swinney and Clemson for the second leg of their home-and-home series. It’s not just a season opener-it’s a statement game, and Kiffin knows it.
Last season, LSU traveled to Clemson and walked out with a win in a top-10 clash that set the tone early. Now, with the rematch on their turf, the Tigers from Baton Rouge have a chance to sweep the series and give Kiffin his first win in purple and gold in front of a home crowd.
And make no mistake-this isn’t just about one game. It’s about launching a new chapter with momentum, swagger, and national relevance.
Vegas has already weighed in, installing LSU as a 10.5-point favorite in the early line. That’s a healthy margin, especially considering the caliber of opponent.
But if you know anything about Lane Kiffin, you know he’s not one to let his players read their own headlines. True to form, he wasted no time addressing the buzz-dropping a signature social media post featuring a rat and skull emoji, a nod to the now-famous “rat poison” warning.
That phrase, of course, comes straight from the Nick Saban playbook. Kiffin, a former Saban assistant, clearly hasn’t forgotten the lessons learned in Tuscaloosa-chief among them: don’t let outside noise seep into the locker room.
Saban used “rat poison” to describe the media hype that could distract a team from the task at hand. Kiffin’s emoji-laced version might be more modern, but the message is the same: don’t believe the hype.
There’s still over seven months to go before toe meets leather in Baton Rouge, but the tone is already being set. Kiffin isn’t just preparing for a football game-he’s laying the foundation for a new era. And he’s doing it his way: with swagger, savvy, and just enough social media spice to keep things interesting.
One thing’s for sure-come September 5th, all eyes will be on Death Valley. And Lane Kiffin will be ready.