CLEMSON — Kickoff is inching ever so close, and Saturday represents one of the biggest home-openers for Clemson in quite some time.

The fourth-ranked Tigers will host ninth-ranked LSU, giving Clemson its first home opener that features two opponents ranked inside the Top 10 since 2013. It’s also the first Top 10 match-up at home since the Deshaun Watson-Lamar Jackson battle in 2016.

This game will mark the seventh matchup of AP Top 10 teams since the facility opened in 1942. Clemson holds a 4-2 mark in those previous six contests, including that 42-36 win over Louisville in 2016.

The Tigers are 1-3 all-time against LSU, with all four of those games being played at neutral sites. LSU won the last matchup 42-25 in the 2019 national title game.

5 Things to Watch For

1. New Look Clemson Defense: Make no mistake, this is one of the biggest keys to this game. After finishing in the Top 10 nationally in total defense in 2023, the Tigers struggled mightily on the defensive side of the ball, particularly down the stretch. Teams were basically running at will.

Dabo Swinney went out and hired Tom Allen to bring some swagger to that side of the ball, and by all accounts, that is exactly what he has done over the offseason. Players have raved about the simplicity of the new scheme and how it allows them to play more freely.

LSU has one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Garret Nussmeier, and bolsters what will be the best group of wideouts Clemson will face off with this season. Asking the defense to be on point in game one under a new coordinator against this caliber of opponent is a big ask, but that is exactly what it is going to take.

Clemson has to neutralize the ground game and keep LSU off schedule.

2. LSU Offensive Line: Speaking of a big ask, the Bayou Bengals have to replace four offensive linemen from last year’s squad, and the first time out, they are tasked with facing off against that Clemson defensive front that features two players projected to be first-round picks in next spring’s NFL Draft. This is a battle the Tigers need to win.

If Nussmeier has time in the pocket and is allowed to get comfortable, he is going to slice up the best of secondaries. Those receivers are just too good, as is he. Teams that had the best success against him last year brought pressure up the middle, not allowing him to get set. That means Peter Woods, DeMonte Capehart, Stephiylan Green and Vic Burley need to be disruptive. Push the pocket back into his face. Pressure him into mistakes, and increase your chances of forcing a turnover or two.

3. Special Teams: Brutal truth, Clemson had its share of issues in this department last season. And if this is a close game, special teams could play a crucial part.

Much of the focus has centered on who is going to be doing the punting for Clemson and how effective they are going to be. Jack Smith, Will McCune and Robert Gunn have been battling for the job, and coming out of camp, it sounded like Smith was more likely to get the first opportunity. Although, to be fair, Dabo Swinney did say this competition could stretch into the season. Whoever it is doing the punting, the Tigers can’t afford to have miscues that set up LSU in favorable field position.

Clemson also had its share of issues with protection on field goals. Six of Nolan Hauser’s seven misses last season were blocked due to breakdowns on the left side. Swinney has noted in recent days that they’ve made an effort to shore up the personnel there and that offensive line coach Matt Luke has been playing a much bigger role in that department.

If this game were to come down to needing a Hauser kick late to win it, the protection absolutely needs to hold up.

4. Establish the Run Game: It’s probably safe to assume that just about everyone inside the fan base is anxious to finally see what Adam Randall is going to do in his new role. All of the right things have been said throughout the spring and into fall camp, as Randall has locked up the starting spot.

However, the Tigers are going to need at least one of their other backs to step up and help carry the rock. David Eziomume has also received a lot of praise, particularly since the start of camp. True freshman Gideon Davidson has as well. That gives Clemson three backs that could potentially see action on Saturday.

If this team can get the running game going and average around four yards per carry, the odds they come away victorious increase exponentially.

5. Get Crowd Into It Early: How many times have we seen a Death Valley crowd have an impact on opposing offenses? The crowd is going to be into it no matter what, but if this defense can get an early stop, and the electricity gets amped up early on, LSU is bound to have some false starts. Especially seeing as they will be running an offensive line out there that has very little experience playing together.

It’s just one more way to keep that LSU offense off schedule and behind the sticks. Make them earn everything they get.

Photo courtesy of Bart Boatwright