LSU is favored over Clemson by 10.5 points in their primetime showdown on Saturday at Death Valley, with the Bayou Bengals' defense expected to be a key strength under coach Blake Baker. The team has improved its defense each year, and fans believe this may be its best unit yet. LSU's offense will feature quarterback Sam Leavitt, who led Arizona State to the College Football Playoff in 2024 despite being injured last season. Clemson, meanwhile, will start two-year backup Christopher Vizzina at quarterback.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-05,
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No political leaning scored for article 4850 · logged 2026-09-05
There are some scintillating matchups in Week 1 of the college football season, but the primetime showdown between Clemson and No. 11 LSU in Death Valley is the clear headliner.
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showdown → be → Valley
The two schools have traded some barbs, which is always fun, but most of the ink spilled before and after this clash of the bluebloods will be focused on Lane Kiffin in his coaching debut at LSU.
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most → trade → LSU
Kiffin’s Bayou Bengals are expected to win, as the bookmakers have installed LSU as a 10.5-point home favorite.
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bookmakers → expect → favorite
Clemson vs. LSU odds, prediction
Both of these programs are desperate for a big year, but only one of them seems to be poised to do it.
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one → seem → it
While Clemson is still working on finding the right recipe to get back into the national championship conversation, LSU at least has the pieces in place.
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LSU → work → place
Whether the program’s massive bet on Kiffin pays off is one thing, but the polarizing head coach has plenty of talent to work with.
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coach → pay → talent
Quarterback Sam Leavitt’s 2025 season at Arizona State was derailed by injuries, but he was on the Heisman radar at this time last year thanks to a star-turning performance in 2024 when he led the Sun Devils to the College Football Playoff.
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he → derail → Playoff
Leavitt has blue-chippers and NFL prospects all around him on offense, plus he’ll be coached by one of the best offensive minds in the sport.
But the real strength of LSU, at least in the early going, should be Blake Baker’s defense.
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strength → have → going
The Bayou Bengals have improved each year under Baker, and there is every reason to believe this will be his best unit yet.
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this → improve → Baker
It won’t be long until Baker is linked to some massive job openings later in the season.
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Baker → link → season
Big Ten preview: Can this long shot make a run?
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shot → make → run
Fighting Irish will reach championship heights
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Irish → reach → heights
- These sleepers can qualify for the CFP
As for Clemson, they’ll turn to two-year backup Christopher Vizzina at quarterback.
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they → qualify → quarterback
He posted some solid numbers when he took over the reins for Dabo Swinney late last year, but this is a massive step up in competition for the junior.
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this → post → junior
Not only the defense, but the environment, and also the fact that he’ll need to keep up with LSU’s explosive offense all night.
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he → need → offense
It’s best to tread lightly when it comes to narratives in college football, but Kiffin will want to make a statement in his debut, and his defense should make that a reachable goal.
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that → ’ → debut
The Play: LSU -10.5 (-110, FanDuel)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry.
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Leboff → trust → industry
He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
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punters → use → sports
