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CFB Week 1: Clemson vs. LSU Odds, Picks & Predictions

By jili tutorial · September 4, 2026

Clemson vs. LSU: Week 1 Showdown

One of the biggest matchups in college football’s opening week pits Clemson against No. 11 LSU on Saturday. Both teams share the Tigers nickname and play in stadiums famously known as Death Valley. For LSU, Lane Kiffin will make his debut as head coach, while Dabo Swinney returns to the sideline for Clemson. The stakes are high from the very start.

Game Odds at DraftKings

Here are the latest Clemson vs. LSU odds from DraftKings:

TeamSpreadTotalMoneyline
Clemson+10 (-110)O 50.5 (-112)+295
LSU-10 (-110)U 50.5 (-108)-375

Best Bet Against the Spread: LSU -10

Clemson will start quarterback Christopher Vizzina, who is making only his second career start — and he’ll have to do it in a hostile road environment. Expect the Tigers (Clemson) to lean heavily on running back Gideon Davidson, though his rookie season was limited: 60 carries for 260 yards and no touchdowns.

Instead, Clemson’s offense may find more success through the air with quick, timed passes. Wide receiver TJ Moore led the team with 837 receiving yards last year, while Bryant Wesco posted a team-best six touchdown catches. Both will be primary targets for Vizzina.

On defense, Clemson returns sack specialist Will Heldt, who had 7.5 sacks a season ago. However, the defense lost key starters to the NFL, including Avieon Terrell, Peter Woods, and TJ Parker.

LSU holds the clear advantage at quarterback with Sam Leavitt, who transferred from Arizona State. Injuries limited his production last season, but two years ago he led ASU to the College Football Playoff. When these two teams met in last year’s opener, LSU stifled Clemson on early downs and blitzed aggressively on third down, winning 17-10 on the road. Expect a similar game plan in Baton Rouge this Saturday night.

With an unproven QB and a limited running game, Dabo Swinney’s reluctance to fully use the transfer portal could hurt Clemson. Kiffin’s debut should go smoothly. Pick: LSU -10

Best Bet on Total: UNDER 50.5

We expect this game to follow the same script as last year’s season opener. Points should be hard to come by for Clemson, which averaged just 25.8 points per game with Cade Klubnik at quarterback — ranking 71st nationally. Vizzina is not on the same level as Klubnik (now with the New York Jets), and there could be a noticeable drop in production from a quarterback with only one career start.

If Clemson cannot run the ball effectively on first and second down, it sets up a scenario where LSU covers the spread and the total stays under comfortably. Pick: UNDER 50.5