Clemson visits No. 11 LSU in marquee season opener on ABC

Clemson faces No. 11 LSU at Tiger Stadium on September 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET, with the game broadcast on ABC. LSU is favored by 10 points and has a moneyline of -403. Last year, LSU averaged 22.8 points per game while Clemson allowed 20.5, and Clemson scored 27.2 per game against LSU's 19.8 allowed.

Both programs enter the opener with identical 0-0 records, making this a true measuring stick for each roster. The betting market has installed LSU as a double-digit favorite at home, with the total set at 51.5 points, suggesting expectations of a moderately high-scoring contest. Clemson's offensive output last season exceeded LSU's defensive allowance by a significant margin, while LSU's scoring average barely cleared what Clemson's defense permitted.

The yardage comparison tells a similar story: Clemson gained roughly 392 yards per game last year, while LSU surrendered about 329. Conversely, LSU's offensive yardage total fell short of what Clemson's defense gave up. These statistical edges for Clemson on both sides of the ball could make the spread feel tight, though home-field advantage at Tiger Stadium and the ranking gap may factor into the oddsmakers' calculus.