Previewing LSU and Clemson with William Qualkinbush

LSU and Clemson collectively hold 7 National Championships in football. Their head coaches, Brian Kelly and Dabo Swinney, have achieved a total of 472 wins. However, the number that looms large in everyone's thoughts is five. This represents the total of season openers that LSU has lost in consecutive years, often derailing their championship aspirations before they even begin. Only the Buckeyes have been able to lose an early season game against Virginia Tech and still come back to claim a title. That occurred back in 2014, during the first College Football Playoff. Winning consistently before conference play against highly ranked teams can significantly boost a program's momentum throughout the fall. This leads us to the evening of August 30th on ABC, when the Tigers will travel to 'the other' Death Valley to compete against the 'other' Tigers from the ACC. Given the schedule, it's guaranteed that either Texas or Ohio State will have a loss on their records after starting their games earlier that day at 11:00 a.m. A victory on August 30th would carry even greater significance in the rankings. I had the opportunity to connect with Clemson Voice, William Qualkinbush, to preview the game.

Craig: Let's start with the QB's. Fans are in for a real treat with Garrett Nussmeier and Cade Klubnik dueling it out.

William: There won't be a better quarterback battle this season than the showdown between these two guys. It could be a Heisman play-in game of sorts. The two are quite different in how they get the job done, but they both can sling it. With the run game seeming to be a question mark on either sideline and plenty of weapons on the outside, both future NFL quarterbacks will hold the keys to victory in their hands.

Craig: I think it might come down to defense. Give our LSU readers an idea about Peter Woods and T.J. Parker and what Clemson has on that side of the ball.

William: It's no secret around here that Parker and Woods were better on paper than in practice in 2024. Whether you chalk that up to individual inconsistency or a scheme that has undergone an overall, is in the eye of the beholder. The defensive line was under the microscope quite a bit last year. There's talk of more activity and focus from that tandem in the new scheme, and this opener will be a true test against a green offensive line from LSU.

Craig: What's the main matchup you're most eager to see play out.

William: For me, I'm really curious to see what LSU does with Harold Perkins Jr. and how Clemson attempts to neutralize him. Perkins can wreck a game by himself and so I think the chess match between Garrett Riley and Blake Baker involving Perkins will have my attention all night long.

Craig: How electric will the atmosphere be?

William: You'd have to go back to the Georgia game in 13' for a home opener to have been this highly anticipated. This has the feel of one of the signature events that preceded Clemson’s rise to National prominence. The fan base is starving for a contender. They also know the issues Brian Kelly's Tigers have had in openers, and they recall Kelly's viral shocked face from that matchup when he brought the Irish here in 2015. Kelly knows first-hand how hostile the real Death Valley can be at night and as if all of that isn't enough, this will be the first time alcohol will be sold at Clemson for a football game. I would expect there will be even more juice than normal!