Stephen A. Smith isn’t sleeping on LSU against Clemson in Week 1

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Saturday’s Clemson-LSU game is slated to be one of the top Week 1 games for the 2026 college football season.

It will feature two teams trying to bounce back from disappointing 2025 campaigns. They both finished with identical 7-6 records.

This will be Dabo Swinney’s 19th season as Clemson’s head coach, while Lane Kiffin is entering his first as LSU’s head coach. Kiffin took over the program right before the College Football Playoff started last year.

MORE:Lane Kiffin will be college football’s main character this year

LSU has been in the news a lot this offseason, especially recently, leading some fans and media to think the team is too distracted. However, don’t tell that to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. He’s not counting that team out.

“We’re being a bit premature when we bring up the fact that, oh, we’ve heard nothing about Clemson. That don’t mean LSU ain’t going to be ready now,” Smith said on “First Take.” “LSU may very well be ready, and if they’re ready Saturday night, and they give it to Clemson, what are we going to say then?”

There’s no doubt that LSU is deep in preparation for Saturday’s game against Clemson. The program wants to start the Lane Kiffin era on a high note before the schedule gets even tougher later in the season.

Saturday’s game will take place in Baton Rouge and will be in primetime. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will have the call.

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