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Clemson vs. LSU gets College GameDay Week 1, social media erupts
TL;DR
ESPN's College GameDay will kick off the 2026 college football season in Baton Rouge for the Clemson vs. LSU matchup. This game marks Lane Kiffin's debut as LSU head coach and follows a disappointing season for both teams.
Key points
- College GameDay will be in Baton Rouge for Clemson vs. LSU
- The game marks Lane Kiffin's debut as LSU head coach
- Both teams finished the previous season with 7-6 records
- Rece Davis will host the GameDay broadcast
Mentioned in this story
Lane KiffinESPN
Clemson TigersLSU Tigers
ESPN’s College GameDay is reportedly heading to Baton Rouge to kick off the 2026 college football season. Pete Nakos of On3 reported Tuesday that Clemsonfootball’s season opener against LSU is expected to be the site of the first GameDay broadcast of the year. Rece Davis will once again lead the show alongside Nick Saban, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and Pat McAfee. The matchup already carried plenty of intrigue before the reported decision. Clemson and LSU met in last season’s opener at Death Valley, where the Tigers from Baton Rouge erased a halftime deficit and escaped with a 17-10 win. That game ended up setting the tone for frustrating years on both sides. Clemson stumbled to a 7-6 finish, one of the roughest seasons of Dabo Swinney’s tenure, while LSU also finished 7-6 before parting ways with Brian Kelly. With Texas and Ohio State not scheduled until Week 2 this year, Clemson-LSU quickly became one of the most attractive options for ESPN’s opening weekend coverage.
Dabo Swinney defends Clemson on ESPN, explains Notre Dame comments
📸 Jeff Blake, Jeff Blake-Imagn Images pic.twitter.com/eAHJ7J2Rud
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson\_Wire) May 12, 2026 There’s no shortage of storylines heading into the rematch either. Swinney is looking to bounce back after a disappointing campaign, while LSU begins its first season under Lane Kiffin following his high-profile move from Ole Miss. Here’s a look at how social media reacted to Clemson vs. LSU getting ESPN’s College GameDay Week 1. College Gameday is heading to Baton Rouge, LA, for the major Week 1 showdown between Clemson and LSU 🐅🐯
The game will mark Lane Kiffin’s debut as the LSU head coach and will be a significant opportunity for the winning team to start strong after both had down years in 2025.…
Q&A
When is the Clemson vs. LSU game scheduled for College GameDay?
The Clemson vs. LSU game is scheduled for Week 1 of the 2026 college football season.
What are the implications of the Clemson vs. LSU game for both teams?
Both teams are looking to bounce back from disappointing 7-6 seasons, making this matchup crucial for setting a positive tone for the year.
Who will be hosting College GameDay for the Clemson vs. LSU matchup?
Rece Davis will host College GameDay, joined by analysts Nick Saban, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, and Pat McAfee.
What significance does Lane Kiffin's coaching debut hold for LSU?
Lane Kiffin's debut as LSU head coach adds extra intrigue to the game, as he aims to lead the team to a strong start after a challenging previous season.
