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Clemson and LSU Clash in Epic "Death Valley" Showdown
30 Aug
Summary
- Clemson and LSU have only played 4 times, but are top college football brands
- Debate over which team's stadium is the "real" Death Valley
- LSU coach Brian Kelly joked about letting Clemson "borrow" the Death Valley name
As the 2025 college football season approaches, all eyes are on the season-opening matchup between Clemson and LSU, two of the preeminent programs in the sport. Though the two teams have only played each other four times in their histories, the stakes are high for their August 30th showdown under the lights of Clemson's Memorial Stadium.
The primary reason for the heightened anticipation is the long-running debate over which team has the "real" Death Valley. Both Clemson's Memorial Stadium and LSU's Tiger Stadium are nicknamed "Death Valley," and the two schools have been sparring over the moniker for years. In July 2025, LSU head coach Brian Kelly reignited the feud, joking that his team was "letting" Clemson "borrow" the Death Valley name.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney dismissed Kelly's comments, stating that there is no debate over who has the true Death Valley. Swinney pointed to the stadium's history, noting that the nickname originated from a former Presbyterian coach's description of the Tigers' home field in 1945. Under Swinney's leadership, Clemson has built an impressive record of 99-12 at Memorial Stadium since 2008.
However, LSU also boasts an impressive home record, going 147-24 at Tiger Stadium since 2000. The Tigers' stadium has its own unique history behind the Death Valley nickname, dating back to a 1960 incident involving a local gas station owner. With both teams' home fields steeped in tradition, the August 30th showdown promises to be an epic clash to determine the "real" Death Valley.
