Long before the 2025 season ever kicked off, the matchup between LSU and Clemson was circled on the calendars of college football fans across the country. Both programs entered the new season with National Championship hopes, making the battle between the preseason top-10 teams must-watch television over Labor Day weekend. It was a pivotal game for both programs, and perhaps in even bigger ways than college football fans could have ever imagined.
LSU broke Clemson with a Week 1 win
LSU entered the 2025 season having lost five consecutive season openers. Brian Kelly had gone 0-3 in his first three Week 1 games in Baton Rouge, and breaking that streak was all LSU haters could talk about leading into the new season.