LSU Football Begins New Era With Clemson Showdown

Baton Rouge, LA [KNGT-FM] - A new chapter of LSU football is about to begin, and it starts under the bright lights of Tiger Stadium.

The Tigers open the 2026 season Saturday night, September 5, against Clemson in a matchup that immediately gives fans something to talk about. LSU enters the season ranked No. 11 in the AP preseason poll and No. 13 in the Coaches Poll, while Clemson begins the year unranked by the AP and No. 23 in the Coaches Poll.

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There is plenty of change surrounding LSU beyond the football field. Dr. Wade Rouse is now serving as LSU's president after leading McNeese State University, which gives him a familiar connection to Southwest Louisiana.

The football program also has a new leader. Lane Kiffin takes over as LSU's head coach after leaving Ole Miss to replace Brian Kelly.

The Tigers' 2026 home schedule gives fans plenty of reasons to circle dates on the calendar. Alabama, Texas, Texas A&M and Mississippi State are among the SEC opponents scheduled to visit Baton Rouge.

But first comes Clemson.

Things To Know For the 2026 LSU Clemson Football Game

ESPN's College GameDay will be live on campus from 8:00 am to 11:00 am
The Clemson/LSU game will be played at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge
LSU beat Clemson last season (2025) in South Carolina, 17-10
Kickoff for the game will be at 6:30 pm
The Game will be televised nationally on ABC
LSU is ranked Preseason #11 in the AP and #13 In The Coaches Poll
Clemson is NOT ranked in the Preseason AP poll and is ranked #23 in the Coaches Poll

Adding another layer to Saturday night's matchup is the shared nickname of the two stadiums. LSU plays at Tiger Stadium, famously known as “Death Valley,” while Clemson's home field carries the same nickname.

For LSU fans, Saturday presents the first opportunity to see this new-look team in a meaningful game.

Ultimate Louisiana Food Challenges to Try in 2026

Louisiana is famous for gumbo, crawfish, po'boys, boudin, and just about every comfort food imaginable. But for some restaurants across the state, serving incredible food isn't enough, they've turned oversized meals into legendary food challenges that attract hungry locals and adventurous visitors alike.

Whether you're looking to earn bragging rights, score a free meal, or simply see if your stomach is up for the challenge, these Louisiana restaurants are serving up some seriously massive meals if you can handle it.

If you've been searching for Louisiana food challenges, best restaurant eating challenges in Louisiana, or where to attempt a food challenge in Louisiana, here's your ultimate guide.

(Editors Note - Restaurants menus and different food challenges can change at a moments notice, so if you decide you want to tackle one of these, it's best to contact the restaurant first as some of these could possibly not be offered any longer or have changed.)

We've listed 7 Louisiana food challenges from across the state including 2 right here in Acadiana, but there's a full list of many more over at foodchallenges.club..

Gallery Credit: Michael Dot Scott

Source: Everything to Know About LSU vs Clemson Game This Saturday

Filed Under: LSU Tigers, LSU Football, featured

Categories: Sports, Entertainment, Television, Louisiana News, Lake Charles News, Louisiana Sports