Clemson vs. LSU Prediction: College Football Week 1 Opening Odds & Early Pick
The opening odds heavily favor No. 11 LSU, but my best Clemson vs. LSU early prediction focuses on LSU struggling to gel with 13 new starters. Sam Leavitt, a transfer from Arizona State, rarely makes mistakes, but will he immediately shine with LSU's offense against a scoring defense that was tied for 30th in the nation last season?
LSU is favored by 10.5 points ahead of Saturday's 7:30 p.m. ET game at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. The game will air on ABC and stream on ESPN Unlimited.
🏈 Early Clemson vs. LSU prediction: Week 1
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Clemson +10.5 (-110 via DraftKings)
Bet size: 1 unit
Clemson quarterback Christopher Vizzina threw for 317 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions in his only start last season. And while Clemson finished just 7-6 last year, the Tigers' defense allowed just 20.5 points per game, and they held LSU to 17 in the season opener.
With 34 touchdowns and just nine interceptions in two seasons with Arizona State, Leavitt is an exciting acquisition for LSU. With the 23rd-ranked scoring defense last season, LSU is a very well-rounded team. But 10.5 points in a season opener with a new quarterback against a solid ACC team is too much.
🔬 SBR Edge
Of Clemson's 22 projected starters, 17 were with the team last year. Only nine of LSU's projected starters were in Baton Rouge last season, so I'm expecting a sluggish start for LSU as the Tigers get used to playing together.
📊 Clemson vs. LSU odds & line movement: Week 1
See the latest college football odds.
Clemson vs. LSU opening odds
- Moneyline: Clemson +300 | LSU -380
- Spread: Clemson +10.5 (-110) | LSU -10.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 50.5 (-110) | Under 50.5 (-110)
Clemson vs. LSU line movement
The spread hasn't moved at all, which doesn't surprise me. Both of these teams were average last season, and with the spread sitting right around the key number of 10, I'm not shocked that the public is conflicted on which side to back. I don't expect much movement before kickoff, but I'd get in on Clemson now, just in case the number drops to 9.5.
As for the total, it's gone up to 51.5 from 50.5. I don't understand why. Based on how good these defenses were last season, I'd back the Under.
📺 How to watch Clemson vs. LSU: Week 1
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 5
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Tiger Stadium (Baton Rouge, La.)
- TV: ABC
- Streaming: ESPN Unlimited
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