The college football season may still be a few long summer months away. But periodically during the offseason, we get some news that reminds us that it isn't all that far away.
On Tuesday, On3 Sports reported that ESPN's Week 1 location for the network's flagship college football show "College GameDay" has been revealed. Per Pete Nakos, the show is heading to Baton Rouge for the Saturday night clash between LSU and Clemson:
NEW: College GameDay is set to go to Baton Rouge for LSU vs. Clemson in Week 1, @PeteNakos reports📍https://t.co/uofBxtgAdM pic.twitter.com/2H8QkbmZ3F
— On3 (@On3) May 12, 2026
The game is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5. Although it does not have a set kickoff time just yet, one can guess it will be featured in primetime on either ABC or ESPN on Saturday evening. The news of GameDay's location has yet to be confirmed by ESPN.
This game is a pretty big deal for both programs, but it has plenty of draw nationally, as well. For starters, new LSU head coach Lane Kiffin will make his coaching debut. The expectations in Baton Rouge are high under Kiffin, not to mention it's the first time we'll see the head coach on his new sideline following the months-long saga that eventually saw him leave Ole Miss for LSU during the Rebels' CFP run.
It is an equally important season coaching debut for Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. These two teams met last season, also during Week 1. Both teams entered last year's matchup in Clemson ranked inside the top-10. Although Clemson led 10-3 at halftime, Clemson's defense surrendered two LSU touchdowns in the second half, including the go-ahead score early in the fourth quarter.
LSU won 17-10, as Clemson's offense stalled in the second half. The unit produced just six drives resulting in a missed field goal, a Cade Klubnik interception, two punts and two turnovers on downs.
Although LSU's victory appeared to have College Football Playoff implications for Brian Kelly's team, the season went downhill in Baton Rouge in a hurry. LSU fired Kelly midseason following a 49-25 home loss to Texas A&M which brought the Tigers to 5-3 on the season.
Clemson had an equally down year in 2025. The Tigers fell to Georgia Tech and Syracuse earlier in the season and finished 7-6, marking the worst finish for Swinney since his team went 6-7 in 2010. A season above-.500 paired with a $60 million buyout last year meant Swinney would be back as the head coach at Clemson for 2026. LSU hired Kiffin and is paying him a whopping $13 million per year. Depending on how the game shakes out, both schools might be questioning their offseason decisions with respect to how the game goes.
For South Carolina fans, they'll get a first look at whether or not Swinney can handle a big test early on in the season. The Gamecocks of course will play Clemson at the end of the year, so it'll be a good early scouting opportunity as well. South Carolina, meanwhile, opens the season at home against Kent State, so hopefully a Week 1 win will already be on the books when this one kicks off.
Can't wait for get this one underway! Kickoff is a mere 116 days away.
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