Clemson vs. LSU Odds, Picks & Predictions

Clemson collides with No. 11 LSU on Saturday in one of college football’s marquee matchups in Week 1.

Lane Kiffin makes his debut as head coach for LSU. Dabo Swinney returns to the sideline for Clemson. Both teams are nicknamed the Tigers and play in a stadium known as Death Valley.

Clemson vs. LSU Odds at DraftKings

Check out Clemson vs. LSU odds at DraftKings:

Best Bet Clemson vs LSU: Against the Spread

LSU -10

Clemson QB1 Christopher Vizzina will make his second-ever start in an imposing environment. Expect a heavy workload for RB Gideon Davidson, who had limited duty as a rookie last season. Davidson rushed 60 times for 260 yards and no TDs.

Clemson is likely to have more success through the air with quickly timed passes. TJ Moore led Clemson with 837 receiving yards last season. Moore and Bryant Wesco, who led the Tigers with six TD catches a season ago, will be Vizzina’s primary targets.

On defense, sack specialist Will Heldt returns after producing a team-high 7.5 sacks last season. Clemson did lose key defensive starters to the NFL, including Avieon Terrell, Peter Woods, and TJ Parker.

LSU rates the edge at quarterback with Sam Leavitt coming over from Arizona State. Injuries limited his production last season, but Leavitt led ASU to the College Football Playoffs two years ago.

When these two teams met in the season opener last year, LSU stifled Clemson on early downs and brought the house on third down en route to a 17-10 road win. Expect a similar approach in Baton Rouge on Saturday night.

Kiffen’s debut as LSU head coach should go swimmingly. With an unproven QB1 and RB1, Swinney does himself no favors by not fully committing to the transfer portal.

Pick: LSU -10

Best Bet on Total for Clemson vs. LSU

UNDER 50.5

We fully expect the game script to follow that of last year’s season opener. Points should be at a premium for Clemson, which only averaged 25.8 ppg with Cade Klubnik at quarterback. That ranked Clemson No. 71 in the nation.

Vizzina isn’t of the same caliber as Klubnik, who now plays for the Jets in the NFL. There could be a serious drop in production with a quarterback who’s started only one game in his career. If Clemson can’t run the ball on first and second down, that sets up a scenario where LSU covers, and the UNDER hits comfortably.