No. 9 LSU Edges No. 4 Clemson 17-10 In Season Opener

LSU opened the 2025 college football season with a 17-10 upset victory over No. 4 Clemson, highlighted by a dominant defensive performance that overshadowed an inconsistent offense. LSU’s defense was praised for its effectiveness, while Clemson struggled to score after halftime, being shut out in the second half. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney acknowledged safety Ronan Hanafin as a bright spot despite the loss, highlighting his impactful defensive plays in the game. The defeat raised renewed questions about Clemson's ability to compete consistently on big stages and against SEC teams, as they have now lost several consecutive matchups against SEC opponents. Despite the loss, Swinney remains optimistic about Clemson’s playoff chances given the relative weakness of the ACC and the team’s overall talent. Pro Football Focus graded LSU’s team performance as above average overall, particularly in passing and pass blocking, while Clemson’s performance was average overall with below-average passing and pass rush grades.