LSU Favored by 10 Over Clemson in Kiffin's Debut — SkimNews
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- Lane Kiffin makes his LSU head coaching debut Saturday when the 11th-ranked Tigers host Clemson in a Week 1 matchup kicking off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.
- LSU is a 10-point favorite with the over/under at 50.5; the Tigers finished 10th in the SEC at 7-6 last season and lead the all-time series against Clemson 4-1 after a 17-10 win a year ago.
- Clemson tied for seventh in the ACC at 4-4 in 2025, finished 7-6 overall, and will break in a new quarterback for the opener.
- SportsLine expert Eric Cohen is picking Under 49.5 (-111), citing tough Baton Rouge night-game conditions and an LSU offense unlikely to be a "well-oiled machine" in Kiffin's debut.
- Cohen enters 2026 at 90-68 (57%) on college football ATS picks and is 5-1 (+400) over his last six picks involving LSU.
Why it matters: Both LSU and Clemson finished 7-6 last season, making this opener a measuring stick for two underperforming programs rather than a marquee clash. The 10-point spread prices in a Kiffin bounce the source itself hedges against, since Cohen's Under pick rests on the stated view that neither offense will be sharp in Week 1.
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