Clemson vs LSU head-to-head: position-by-position star ratings, experience, and composite grades on CFB Matchup. They meet Week 1, Saturday, September 5, 2026.
The Breakdown
#11 LSU's 71 composite tops Clemson's 66 — 4.0★ Tiger receivers against a 3.0★ Clemson secondary.
When Clemson has the ball: The 3.8★ O-line faces LSU's 4.3★ D-line, where Princewill Umanmielen leads three first-year transfers.
When LSU has the ball: Sam Leavitt's 4.0★ receivers attack Clemson's 3.0★ secondary, where three of four starters are new transfers.
Swing factor: Leavitt, a 5★ transfer with three years, over Vizzina's 4★ — LSU starts 55% portal additions.
X-factor: Week 1 opener in Baton Rouge: Clemson walks into a hostile LSU crowd with no film.