Clemson and LSU Set for 2026 College Football Season Opener

The 2026 college football season will commence with a matchup between the Clemson Tigers and the LSU Tigers on Saturday, September 5, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Last year, LSU defeated Clemson 17-10 in a game where both teams were ranked in the top 10.

Both teams finished the previous season with a 7-6 record, leading to significant changes. LSU dismissed head coach Brian Kelly midseason and hired Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss. In the preseason AP poll, LSU is ranked No. 11, while Clemson is just outside the top 25. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET.

LSU is favored by 10.5 points, with an Over/Under set at 50.5 total points. Kiffin aims to establish LSU as a contender in the SEC, while Clemson's coach Dabo Swinney seeks to revitalize the program after a disappointing season. Clemson will start quarterback Christopher Vizzina, a former five-star recruit, while LSU will rely on Sam Leavitt, who previously led Arizona State to the College Football Playoff.