LSU and Clemson are set up for a Week 1 clash with plenty of attention on the Tigers in Baton Rouge, and CBS Sports’ “Inside College Football” panel didn’t hesitate when it came to a prediction. Every analyst on Thursday picked LSU.
A big part of the buzz around LSU is Lane Kiffin’s first game running the program. The other storyline swirling around Baton Rouge involves Kiffin’s pursuit of undrafted NFL free agents who are trying to use the five-for-five rule to return to college for one more season. The SEC has already put a policy in place that bars those players from taking the field, but Kiffin has continued as if things are normal.
Still, the CBS crew leaned toward LSU, with Tiger Stadium carrying a lot of weight in the discussion.
Rick Neuheisel pointed to the return of Chad Morris as Clemson’s offensive coordinator, but said the atmosphere in Baton Rouge could tilt the night LSU’s way.
“The home field advantage … is immense when you’re at Tiger Stadium. There’s no question about it,” Neuheisel said.
“I think you’re going to see kind of a back-and-forth kind of game. I like it close.
I’m going to take the Bayou Bengals in this one just because of that home-field advantage.”
Brian Jones also saw a tight game and backed LSU, while highlighting the defensive progress Blake Baker made after being retained by Kiffin as defensive coordinator.
“He elevated this team on the defensive side of the ball a season ago. (With) him being a holdover, I think he’s got even more clay to mold, if you will, on the defensive side of the ball,” Jones said.
Aaron Taylor said the outcome would hinge on the lines, especially with Clemson’s offensive front trying to protect Christopher Vezzina with four new starters.
“You do not want to be able to go on the road in that environment as a first-time starter quarterback with this team and have to rely on your ability to get out of third-and-longs. You want those third-and-manageables,” Taylor said.
“The trenches will decide this one. LSU wins.”
That left Brian Kelly, who already guided LSU to a 17-10 win at Clemson a season ago, to make it four for four on the Tigers. He did not waver.
“They’re going to sing ‘Calling Baton Rouge’ in that stadium, and it’s going to be electric because those fans, they tailgate, they come early, they stay all day, and it’s going to be a great game,” Kelly said.
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