LSU ready for its toughest early test in years as it travels to Clemson
No. 9 LSU heads to No. 4 Clemson on Saturday for an early-season showdown with clear College Football Playoff implications. Coach Brian Kelly said on Wednesday’s SEC teleconference that his team settled into a game-week rhythm earlier than in past years, a move aimed at acclimating players to the tempo of game days. More importantly, LSU has rebuilt its roster with a wave of new talent.
Kelly underscored the shift with a colorful metaphor: iron sharpening iron versus butter. He noted that in previous camps, the competition wasn’t consistently as challenging, and players weren’t pushed to the max day after day. This year’s practice environment — with greater depth and tougher internal competition — is designed to sharpen a larger, more capable roster.
Returning starter and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier remains at the helm. While he could be a top NFL Draft pick in 2025, LSU returns only seven players who started six or more games last season. The Tigers answered the gap with what Kelly called the nation’s top transfer portal class, revealing last week on his radio show that the program invested about $18 million to upgrade the roster.
The infusion of new talent has created a deeper, more competitive squad and restored internal pressure that had been missing in recent years. Coupled with the revised game-week routine, LSU has been able to simulate the pressures of game day during camp and prepare players for the conditions they’ll face on Saturday.
Reality check: the performance will be the ultimate test. “We’re going to find out,” Kelly said. “This was really about trying to get into a routine so game week didn’t feel so unusual. And I think our guys really adapted well to understanding that even in camp each day of the week, which is part of our in-season routine, was laid out. So they knew what to expect even in camp in terms of what the practice was going to look like. And I think that allowed them to be a lot more intentional about their work each and every day. But, again, the proof is in how you perform. Our preparation has been really good, we have to go perform now.”
Oddsmakers currently favor Clemson. LSU is listed as a 3.5-point underdog on the road, per FanDuel Sportsbook.
What to watch
– How LSU’s revamped roster handles a top-five opponent on the road
– Whether the deeper, more competitive practice translates into sharper execution in week one
– The performance of Garrett Nussmeier with enhanced surrounding talent and a tougher rotation
– Clemson’s adjustments on both sides of the ball against a newly reinforced LSU unit
Why this matters
LSU’s approach signals a strategic shift toward depth and competition, aiming to produce more consistent day-to-day improvement and better game-day resilience. If the Tigers can translate their practice intensity and roster depth into a successful opener, it could set a positive tone for the early portion of their schedule and offer a fresh blueprint for sustaining competitiveness in the SEC and beyond.
Summary
With a stronger roster, a tougher daily routine, and a high-stakes test at Clemson, LSU is betting that depth and preparation will close the gap in one of the season’s marquee early games. A win would mark a significant statement as the Tigers chase a return to national relevance this season. The key will be how well the upgraded group performs when the lights come on and the pressure rises.