It’s game week, and that is music to the ears of LSU fans who have eagerly awaited Lane Kiffin’s first game as head coach of the Tigers.
After months of offseason changes and recent courtroom drama surrounding player eligibility, LSU fans are ready for an electric Saturday night in Tiger Stadium.
The Tigers open the season against No. 23 Clemson in one of the most anticipated games of the opening weekend.
Here are the biggest storylines heading into kickoff.
1. Finalizing the roster
LSU could add as many as three players who were on NFL rosters during training camp: tight end Dae’Quan Wright, defensive tackle Zxavian Harris and defensive end Jack Pyburn.
Pyburn was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers despite recording four sacks in three preseason games.
The three players are involved in a lawsuit seeking a fifth year of college eligibility. They have already received a temporary restraining order allowing them to play, but that order is set to expire.
On Thursday, the players will ask Judge William Jorden to issue a preliminary injunction.
The SEC and commissioner Greg Sankey have been added as defendants in the lawsuit. Attorneys representing the conference are expected in Baton Rouge to argue that the SEC should have the authority to enforce its own eligibility rules.
Sankey is seeking to enforce a rule that would prevent athletes who signed contracts with NFL, NBA or WNBA teams from returning to play in the SEC.
The outcome of Thursday’s hearing could have a significant impact on LSU’s roster heading into the season opener.
2. The quarterbacks
Sam Leavitt will make his debut as LSU’s starting quarterback Saturday night.
It will be his first game since Oct. 25, when he exited twice because of a foot injury that eventually required season-ending surgery.
By all accounts, Leavitt is healthy. The bigger question is how quickly he can develop chemistry with anew grovup of receivers.
Clemson also enters the game with questions at quarterback.
CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz reports that redshirt junior Christopher Vizzina is the favorite to start after beating out true freshman Tait Reynolds.
Vizzina threw for 406 yards, four touchdowns and one interception last season. He made one start against SMU, passing for317 yards and three touchdowns.
If Vizzina gets the start, one of his top targets will be big-play receiver Bryant Wesco Jr.
In 19 career games at Clemson, Wesco has 72 receptions for 1,245 yards and 11 touchdowns. His 2025 season was cut short after seven games because of a back and neck injury.
3. How good is LSU’s offensive line?
Much of the preseason attention has focused on LSU’s defensive line. But if the Tigers hope to win nine or more games this season, their offensive line must be significantly better than it has been over the last two years.
There is optimism that will happen following the additions of transfer portal linemen Jordan Seaton and Aliou Bah, along with the return of starting center Braelin Moore.
The group will face an immediate test against Clemson.
The Tigers return edge rusher Will Heldt, who led the team in sacks (7.5) and tackles for a loss (15.5) last season.
Clemson also features one of the nation's top linebackers in Sammy Brown. The junior from Georgia had 106 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss and 5 sacks.
How well LSU’s rebuilt offensive line handles that challenge could go a long way in determining whether Kiffin begins his tenure in Baton Rouge with a marquee victory.
