Stephen A. Smith Makes Bold Declaration on Clemson-LSU Week 1 Showdown

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For the second straight season, the Clemson Tigers have a familiar opponent to open the new college football schedule.

Clemson will be taking on the LSU Tigers in Week 1, bringing some heat to the schedule to open the year. Last season, the two teams faced off in Week 1, with LSU coming away with the victory on the road.

Now the scene shifts to Baton Rouge for the game, giving Clemson a chance for some revenge. This also could be an opportunity for them to make a statement against a team that has been in the headlines all offseason.

Heading into the game, LSU has been surrounded by all sorts of narratives regarding the eligibility of college athletes after going to the NFL. This has turned the game against Clemson into a discussion about more off-the-field issues, rather than the matchup on the field.

Ahead of the game, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith had some thoughts on the matchup, sending a message to Clemson.

"I don't give a damn what those people don't want. You don't like it? Do something about it; kick his ass because he's coming to kick your ass," Smith said. "What if Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers roll out on that field Saturday night and they stomp Clemson, what are we gonna say then?"

Playing at Tiger Stadium is tough enough for opponents, with the venue being one of the loudest in the sport. But having this game be the debut for new LSU head coach Lane Kiffin could make life tough for Clemson.

But Clemson has its own veteran head coach in Dabo Swinney, who has seen it all throughout his tenure. Clemson has the pieces to pull off the upset, but they'll need to make sure that they don't beat themselves.

Navigating the hostile atmosphere will be a challenge for this Clemson squad, making the first few drives extremely important. If Clemson can set the tone for the game early on, it could change everything.

Last year, LSU came into Clemson's home, upsetting the top-seeded Tigers. Now, Clemson has a chance to do the same, silencing all the LSU fans while putting more pressure on Kiffin and the program amid all the other outside drama.

If Clemson were able to steal this win, it could set them up well for the remainder of the season. But this team needs to take things one game at a time, giving themselves the best chance to win each time out.

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