Clemson will not have much time to ease into the 2026 season.
The Tigers open the year Saturday night in Baton Rouge against LSU, where they will be dealing with one of college football’s toughest environments while also trying to answer some major questions of their own.
How difficult that challenge actually becomes depends on who you ask.
Former Clemson offensive lineman Eric Mac Lain does not believe LSU should be favored by more than 10 points, especially with Lane Kiffin putting together a team that looks considerably different from the one LSU fielded a year ago.
“I’m 100% taking Clemson. 10.5 is crazy to me. Especially with a brand-new team. So give me my Tigers. You can have your Tigers and your Lane Kiffin guy.”
Mac Lain’s confidence stands
out because Clemson enters the matchup with uncertainty at quarterback and plenty to prove offensively.
That is exactly where Aaron Murray believes LSU can take advantage.
The former Georgia quarterback focused less on LSU’s transition and more on what Clemson will be asking from an inexperienced quarterback in an extremely difficult setting.
“You’re talking about a quarterback, regardless of who they go with, very little playing experience. First game of the season, in that stadium, which is going to be electric. It’s going to be nuts.”
Murray expects those circumstances to matter early and believes LSU’s defense could make life difficult enough for Clemson to turn the opener into a comfortable win.
College Football 27 predicts Clemson vs LSU winner in Week 1 showdown
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) September 4, 2026
📸 Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network , USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect https://t.co/w6DL9Kfpm9 pic.twitter.com/vuMxFm5zwg
“I think they dominate. I really do.”
There are plenty of unknowns surrounding both teams entering Week 1, which makes the sizable point spread one of the more interesting parts of the matchup.
Mac Lain believes LSU is being given too much respect before Kiffin’s new-look roster has played a game together. Murray sees Clemson’s quarterback situation and the setting in Baton Rouge as enough reason to expect the opposite.
Clemson gets its first opportunity to settle the debate Saturday night.
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: ESPN analysts make their predictions ahead of Clemson vs. LSU Week 1
