No. 4 Clemson, No. 9 LSU Clash in Week 1 Death Valley Showdown

The highly anticipated season opener between No. 4 Clemson and No. 9 LSU, both nicknamed the Tigers and playing in stadiums known as 'Death Valley,' is set for Saturday night in Clemson, S.C. Both teams feature elite quarterbacks—Clemson's Cade Klubnik and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier—who are considered top NFL draft prospects and have demonstrated impressive college careers with strong continuity in their programs. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney highlighted the similarities between the teams, emphasizing the matchup as a Top 10 contest due to elite quarterback play and strong lineups on both sides. The name 'Death Valley' is claimed by both schools, with Clemson's Memorial Stadium earning the nickname in the late 1940s and LSU's Tiger Stadium adopting it by the 1960s, leading to a playful rivalry over the title. LSU enters the game looking for a step forward in year four under coach Brian Kelly, while Clemson aims to build on its recent College Football Playoff appearance and repeat as ACC champions. The game is expected to be a tightly contested battle with Clemson favored by four points and will be broadcast on WGNO Saturday evening.