Few opening weekend matchups carried as much weight as LSU and Clemson meeting in the so-called Battle of the Death Valleys. Both programs entered with high expectations, each looking for a statement to begin their playoff push. By the end of the night, LSU had provided it. The game was a defensive struggle from the start. Neither offense found much rhythm through the first quarter, and both leaned heavily on field position and patience. LSU’s quarterback, back after a 4,000-yard campaign last season, eventually found enough footing to drive the Tigers into range for a second-quarter touchdown. That put Baton Rouge’s Tigers up at halftime and gave them the edge they needed. Clemson never truly established the run. Against a front seven that looked as physical as any in the country, the Tigers from South Carolina managed only 31 rushing yards on 20 carries. Every attempt inside was swallowed. Edge runs were forced back into traffic. The frustration was visible as Clemson backs slammed their helmets on the sideline after short gains and stuffed plays. LSU leaned on its defense to control the pace. The secondary played tight man coverage and forced Clemson’s quarterback into rushed throws. He finished the night under 200 passing yards with an interception, unable to connect on anything downfield. LSU recorded four sacks, pressured on nearly a third of Clemson’s dropbacks, and never let the pocket feel safe. The turning point came in the fourth quarter. With the game tied 10–10, LSU strung together a drive built on patience. A pair of short passes moved the chains, followed by a bruising 18-yard run up the middle that set up the go-ahead touchdown. When the ball crossed the goal line, the scoreboard read 17–10, and the purple and gold crowd roared with the confidence that their defense could close it out. Close it out they did. Clemson’s final two possessions went nowhere. A three-and-out burned only forty seconds, and their last gasp ended on fourth down near midfield. LSU’s sideline erupted, players waving to the crowd, knowing they had passed their first test. Head coach Brian Kelly was direct afterward. “We want to be known as a team that wins with defense,” he told reporters. “Tonight was a great example of that. We stopped the run, pressured the quarterback, and trusted our guys to finish.” The final stat sheet backed his words. LSU allowed only 242 total yards, with 31 on the ground. Clemson converted just three of thirteen third downs. Meanwhile LSU’s offense was steady if not spectacular, finishing with more than 350 total yards and controlling time of possession by nearly six minutes. For Clemson, the frustration runs deep. A program that once prided itself on physical dominance looked tentative. The lack of a running game left them one-dimensional, and the passing attack never compensated. Fans leaving the stadium wondered if this team can find the identity it once had. For LSU, the takeaway is clear. This is not a dark horse in the SEC, this is a national title contender. The defense already looks like one of the best in the country, and the offense, though not explosive, showed balance and control. The SEC schedule will test them, but this opener proved they have the power to stand toe to toe with anyone. The Battle of the Death Valleys ended in favor of the Tigers from Baton Rouge. For LSU, it felt like the start of something big. For Clemson, it felt like the start of a long season.