The Clemson Tigers face LSU in a Week 1 primetime matchup that carries more questions than answers for both programs.

Clemson’s roster is virtually flipped on its head, and LSU’s entire program got flipped once Lane Kiffin joined after Brian Kelly got fired. And frankly, you can’t even look back at last year’s matchup and try to take away anything because so many different things have changed.

But the question remains: Will Dabo Swinney actually be able to walk into Death Valley and get the job done?

Christopher Vizzina and the pressure problem

My number one question in this matchup is Clemson quarterback Christopher Vizzina and how he handles pressure. I think he is going to get hit early and often because the offensive line for Clemson is a huge question mark. Blake Baker at the defensive coordinator spot for LSU wants to speed up young quarterbacks and get them uncomfortable as quickly as possible. Expect blitzes consistently.

So what can Clemson do to get Vizzina comfortable and give their weapons on the outside a chance? I think deep into this game, Clemson is going to have an opportunity to make a play or two to put themselves in a position to win. The talent on the perimeter is there. The question is whether the protection holds long enough for any of it to matter.

LSU’s portal-king offense won’t hit the ground running in Week 1

Now, when we look at the LSU offense, I do think there are going to be some bumps in the road in getting all of these transfers to gel together in Week 1. I get it. Lane Kiffin is the portal king and everyone is assuming they’re just going to hit the ground running.

I expect it to be rocky, especially early in the season, and it will take time to get Sam Leavitt up to speed. Building a cohesive offense that can run the football is a tall order when we’re talking about a program that was not able to run the football at all.

And you may say, Tegan, you’re doubting Lane Kiffin’s ability to plug-and-play portal talent. Well, I’ve seen it too many times where people go into the preseason blindly believing a team replacing entire position groups through the transfer portal is just going to click immediately. That’s not how it works.

But even with that in mind, I still believe LSU’s talent is enough to make enough plays to stay in this game. I think Trey’Dez Green more than likely scores a touchdown, and those plays are just going to be enough to keep LSU within arm’s reach of a Clemson team that needs to make a play here and there.

Final prediction for LSU vs. Clemson in Week 1

I think this game is going to be ugly. I think it’s going to be low scoring. And because of the pressure Blake Baker is going to bring from that LSU defense, Clemson won’t be able to generate enough offense to pull away. In a low-scoring primetime matchup, I believe LSU starts its new era of football with a victory.

For the people expecting some big blowout in Death Valley, I just don’t see it. LSU wins, but it’s a grind, and both programs leave with a ton of questions heading into Week 2.