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LSU is entering a pivotal year under head coach Brian Kelly as the Tigers hope to compete for a national title this upcoming fall.
Ahead of a highly-anticipated season, ESPN identified 1 game that will “make or break” the 2025 campaign for each team in its way-too-early top 25. That, of course, includes LSU, as the Tigers are No. 8 in ESPN’s preseason ranking.
For LSU, ESPN has identified its Week 1 matchup against Clemson as its season-defining game. Here’s an excerpt of analysis from Chris Low:
The winds of restlessness are blowing swiftly in Baton Rouge as Brian Kelly opens his fourth season as coach. The key word here is “opens” because LSU has opened every season under Kelly with a loss, which makes the Aug. 30 opener at Clemson all the more important. LSU needs to make a major push for the playoff this season, and more specifically, probably needs to make the CFP to take the heat off Kelly and get the program headed in the right direction.
Indeed, LSU has lost its season-opener in all 3 campaigns under Kelly so far. Two of those losses came to Florida State and the most recent one came against USC last season. Clemson is entering the 2025 season with national title aspirations of their own, so a loss to the Tigers would not be detrimental to LSU’s résumé.
However, a victory over a potential ACC champion would go a long way toward ensuring LSU ends up in the CFP at the end of the season — even if it stumbles a few times during a difficult SEC schedule.
LSU’s regular-season win total for the 2025 campaign is currently set at 8.5, according to bet365. If you’re not already signed up, here’s a bet365 bonus code Louisiana to help you get started with a generous welcome bonus!
LSU is 3-1 all-time against Clemson. This game will be played in Clemson, South Carolina, on August 30. A kickoff time will be announced at a later date.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
