The wait is almost over. It's officially game week for the LSU Tigers, as they are set to battle No. 4 Clemson this Saturday, Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Brian Kelly and his staff spent the offseason bolstering the LSU roster through both the transfer portal as well as the high school ranks. LSU enters the new campaign with the top transfer portal class in the country, as well as a top-ten high school recruiting class. Along with plenty of new faces, the Tigers bring back veteran QB Garrett Nussmeier, as well as last year's leading receiver Aaron Anderson and leading rusher Caden Durham. Clocking in at No. 9 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll, Tiger fans are hungry for a big season.
With kick-off against Dabo Swinney's squad less than a week away, what three storylines should fans keep an eye on in this battle of top-ten teams?
1. Tigers are four-point underdogs
LSU heads to Clemson as underdogs in the eyes of professional oddsmakers. Specifically on DraftKings, the Tigers find themselves as four-point underdogs on the road. On the moneyline, LSU has odds of +150 while Clemson has odds of -180. Oddsmakers are expecting Clemson to claim victory in front of their home fans, but LSU fans are ready for their team to prove the doubters wrong.
This matchup is made even more interesting when looking at how each roster has been constructed. Clemson boasts the most returning production in the country, while LSU claims the No. 1 transfer portal class. Swinney has slowly started to embrace the transfer portal, but he is still waves behind what Kelly and his staff did during the offseason.
2. Revamped defense takes center stage
The Tiger defense has been a cause of frustration in recent seasons for LSU fans. The 2023 season was historically bad, and while things were better in 2024, if the Tigers are going to compete for an SEC title and National Championship, the defense has to take a big step forward. It helps that defensive coordinator Blake Baker enters his second year in Baton Rouge, and that continuity could lead to improved results.
Kelly hit the transfer portal hard on the defensive side of the ball. The incoming class is highlighted by four-star S A.J. Haulcy (Houston), four-star CB Mansoor Delane (Virginia Tech), four-star DL Bernard Gooden (South Florida), and four-star CB Ja'Keem Jackson (Florida). Five-star recruit DJ Pickett could also have an immediate impact this season. The defensive group will have to be ready from the jump, as Clemson QB Cade Klubnik is one of the most experienced gunslingers in the country. Klubnik threw for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns last season en route to leading the Tigers to 34.7 points per game.
3. Nussmeier is a Heisman hopeful
Garrett Nussmeier chose to return to LSU to win an SEC title and a National Championship. While team goals are the main priority, Nussmeier can also accomplish some special individual awards this season. The veteran QB needs 3,344 yards to become LSU's all-time passing yards leader. Last season, Nussmeier totaled 4,052 passing yards and 29 touchdowns while leading the SEC in completions with 337. He is more than capable of replicating - or even exceeding - those numbers this season. That potential has him firmly in the Heisman conversation. Via DraftKings, with odds of +900, Nussmeier currently has the second-best odds to win the Heisman Trophy. Only Texas QB Arch Manning has better odds at +650.
Nussmeier is armed with an exciting receiving group that has the potential to create a deadly LSU passing attack this season. Featuring the likes of Aaron Anderson, Zavion Thomas, Nic Anderson, Barion Brown, Kyle Parker, Chris Hilton Jr. and Destyn Hill, Nussmeier has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal. Transfer tight end Bauer Sharp also has the potential to be a prominent factor in the passing game.