LSU’s opening-week woes continued in 2024, as Brian Kelly’s Tigers dropped a 27-20 dish to USC in Las Vegas despite entering as favorites. The loss marked LSU’s fifth consecutive Week 1 defeat dating back to 2020. Costly penalties and defensive breakdowns proved costly, particularly against transfer running back Woody Marks—who had torched LSU for 75 yards in 2023 with Mississippi State.
Red-zone inefficiency further doomed their chances. Kelly didn’t hold back postgame, labeling the performance “selfish” and “concerning.” With a high-profile showdown against Clemson likely to open the 2025 season, LSU has a shot to flip the script and fuel a national title run. The Tigers haven’t won a season opener since capturing the 2019 championship.
Opening Game Woes Haunt LSU, 2025 Matchup Offers Shot at Redemption
LSU’s persistent failure to start seasons strong has become a defining flaw. Since 2020, the Tigers have dropped five straight openers, most recently falling to USC in 2024 despite entering as favorites. That skid could finally end in Week 1 of 2025, but the challenge ahead is formidable: a road trip to face Clemson in what On3’s Ari Wasserman calls “the biggest non-conference game of the year.”
This high-stakes clash is more than just a top-10 matchup—it’s a layered confrontation between two national championship hopefuls, both with coaches under pressure to prove something.
Wasserman emphasized the complexity of the storyline:
“The branches of college football nerdiness that come off of this game are more extensive to me.”
For LSU, a win could signal the dawn of a new era under Brian Kelly.
“What if LSU just beats the snot out of Clemson the way Georgia beat the snot out of Clemson last year?” Wasserman posed. “Then you have an entirely new storyline that I don’t think is getting enough attention.”
The optimism around LSU stems from a strong offseason, headlined by a rebuilt roster through the transfer portal and the return of key stars. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024 and is already drawing NFL attention.
“If Garrett Nussmeier turns into a Heisman candidate right away… then LSU was awesome,” Wasserman said.
Linebacker Harold Perkins Jr., a freshman who was one of the most dynamic defensive players in college football, is healthy and training with virtual reality tech to elevate his play in Blake Baker’s system.
“I’m very excited to see what Harold Perkins is this year,” Wasserman added.
The matchup also puts a spotlight on Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, who remains a two-time national champion but faces skepticism about his program’s direction.
“I think Dabo Swinney is in a position to prove something,” Wasserman said.
He pointed to Swinney’s staunch defense of his roster-building philosophy and resistance to fully embracing NIL and the transfer portal:
“Can Clemson win and win big against teams that are national championship contenders with the way they assemble their roster?”
KEEP READING: QB Garrett Nussmeier Puts on a Show During LSU Pro Day
With LSU favored by some to be a dark-horse playoff team, this game could swing momentum dramatically.
“LSU could be a national title contender,” Wasserman said, citing sources within both coaching and media circles.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
