Dabo Swinney adds fuel to Week 1 LSU showdown by ripping 'embarrassing' player eligibility drama

Dabo Swinney takes issue with Lane Kiffin amid LSU eligibility controversy

The controversy surrounding Harris and Wright has been all-consuming in the buildup to the Week 1 rematch of last year's 17-10 LSU win at Clemson, so much so that the opener has almost become secondary.

But Swinney may want to be careful not to kick the hornet's nest. Clemson has a daunting challenge on Saturday, with ESPN Analytics giving LSU, which opened as a 10.5-point favorite, 75.3 percent odds of winning.

Clemson lost nine 2025 key contributors to the NFL draft this offseason, including starting right tackle Blake Miller, defensive tackle Peter Woods, edge-rusher T.J. Parker and cornerback Avieon Terrell, all selected in the first two rounds.

The Tigers are also replacing quarterback Cade Klubnik, with Swinney announcing redshirt junior Christopher Vizzina, who has 105 career pass attempts, will start against LSU in Tiger Stadium, one of the most difficult road environments in the country. True freshman Tait Reynolds may also receive playing time. 

This offseason, LSU was among the most aggressive teams in the portal, landing 247Sports' No. 1 class. Transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt helped guide the Arizona State Sun Devils to a Big 12 championship in 2024 and threw for 4,513 yards, 34 touchdowns and nine interceptions over the past two seasons (20 games).

Few coaches are as proficient at trolling as Kiffin. We wouldn't put it past him to try to run up the score if given the opportunity and hand Clemson yet another Week 1 loss. Swinney has begun 0-1 in three consecutive seasons, with Clemson being outscored 79-20. Meanwhile, Kiffin hasn't lost an FBS opener since the conference-only 2020 pandemic-altered season, with Ole Miss averaging 44.6 points per game during the span (2021-25).

If the recent past is predictive of the future, Swinney could be the only one embarrassed after Week 1.