Clemson’s trip to Baton Rouge for Labor Day Weekend has all the ingredients of a loud Week 1 showcase, and the matchup comes with more than just a marquee feel. LSU will open a revamped program under Lane Kiffin, while Clemson arrives with revenge on its mind after last season’s opener crowned LSU the real Death Valley.
The biggest swing factor on Clemson’s side is the coaching addition that has changed the conversation around the offense. Dabo Sweeney brought in offensive coordinator Chad Morris this offseason, a move that is expected to give an already talented group a real direction. Morris has done this before at Clemson, and the hope is that he can turn the Tigers back into a high-scoring machine.
LSU, meanwhile, is trying to build its offense from the ground up. Incoming quarterback Sam Leavitt gives the Tigers a fresh face at the position, and he’ll have talented pass-catching options around him as the new offense takes shape. The expectation is that LSU’s attack could become a serious problem in short order.
That’s why this first Saturday night in Death Valley for the 2026 season feels loaded with offensive firepower. One team is unveiling a renovated roster and new staff. The other is stepping into the spotlight with a more defined identity and plenty of confidence.
A lot of the attention will land on Kiffin, who is now taking over his third SEC program, but the intrigue goes beyond the coach alone. LSU also brought in major portal additions this offseason, and the question is how quickly all of those pieces come together.
And there’s still the matter of the Death Valley title. Since both programs share that name, every LSU-Clemson meeting carries an extra layer of bragging rights. LSU walked away with the crown after last year’s 10-17 season-opening win, and now Clemson is looking to take it back in Baton Rouge.
In Other News...
Lane Kiffins First LSU Practice Already Sent A Clear Message
Lane Kiffin wasted little time putting his stamp on LSUs first preseason practice, and the early read was encouraging. The Tigers opened camp with what was described as a healthy roster, a useful start for a new coach trying to establish rhythm and urgency without first fighting through a pile of injuries. It also gave the staff a cleaner look at a group that can spend August focused on football instead of rehab.
Sam Leavitt was part of that positive opening as he continued working back from foot surgery, while D.J. Pickett also had a small but telling change of his own. Pickett moved from No. 3 to No. 5, a nod to the kind of recruitment promise LSU made and kept along the way. For a first practice, those details matter because they hint at a program trying to balance momentum, trust and the little things that shape a camp. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Fall Camp Is Starting To Reveal Which Young Tigers Matter
Fall camp has a way of sorting out the newcomers quickly, and LSU is already getting a better sense of which young players can force their way into the conversation. With a lot of new faces and coaches adjusting on both sides of the ball, the Tigers are still in the early stages of figuring out roles, but a few names are beginning to stand out. Freshman wide receiver Barber drew positive attention during summer practices, while cornerback PJ Woodland is being viewed as someone who could matter on defense right away.
On the other side of the ball, tight end Thomas is also trying to make his case as the depth chart takes shape. He is working to earn playing time while building chemistry with LSU quarterbacks, which is the kind of camp task that can end up mattering just as much as the flashier moments. For a team that is still blending a lot of new pieces, these early reps are starting to show which young Tigers can help sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]
LSUs First Defensive Look Created A Camp Battle Fans Will Watch
The first defensive look of LSUs 2026 preseason camp already put a couple of familiar spots under the microscope, and it came on a day when the Tigers were sorting out who fits where in the early pecking order. Freshman Jhase Thomas worked with the first-team safeties alongside Ty Benefield, while head coach Lane Kiffin talked up the competition and rotation that always come with the opening stretch of camp.
The defensive line picture brought another wrinkle, with freshman Deuce Geralds getting first-unit reps at tackle as LSU kept mixing and matching bodies up front. For a team trying to settle on dependable pieces before the season starts, those early choices matter, and the next few practices should say plenty about whether the newcomers are simply getting a look or forcing their way into real roles. [Read more 🡒]