The ACC Tigers will host the SEC Tigers as No. 4 Clemson takes on No. 9 LSU in a highly anticipated Week 1 matchup on Saturday night. Last year, Clemson finished with a record of 10-4 overall and 7-1 in conference play, securing the conference title after defeating SMU. In contrast, LSU ended its season with a 9-4 record and is bringing back a considerable number of returning players this year.

Kickoff is scheduled at Memorial Stadium in Clemson at 7:30 p.m. ET. According to the latest odds from SportsLine consensus, Clemson is favored by 4.5 points, while the total points are projected to reach 56.5.

Before finalizing your picks for the Clemson vs. LSU game, it’s wise to consider the predictions provided by the SportsLine projection model, which has run 10,000 simulations. The model has reported significant betting success, generating over $2,000 in profit for $100 players on its highest-rated college spread football bets and achieving a successful 27-16 record on money-line and over/under plays in 2024.

Here are the SportsLine model’s top bets for Saturday’s showdown:

• LSU +4.5
• Over 56.5

LSU +4.5

Clemson has proven to be formidable at home but lost all three of its encounters with SEC teams last season. LSU hopes to secure its first Week 1 victory since Joe Burrow was the starting quarterback in 2019. However, the SportsLine model forecasts a surprising outcome with Brian Kelly’s team likely to cover the spread in 63% of simulations and potentially win outright in 57% of the simulations.

Over 56.5

Clemson rebounded impressively from a tough 34-3 defeat to Georgia in Week 1 of last season to become one of the top offensive teams in the ACC. Quarterback Cade Klubnik, a Heisman contender, amassed 3,639 passing yards and threw 36 touchdowns with just six interceptions last year. He will lead his team on Saturday against an LSU defense that allowed an average of 24.3 points per game, ranking third in the SEC. The model indicates that the Over becomes a viable bet in 61% of simulations.

Interested in more college football picks for Week 1?
You’ve discovered the model’s primary bets for the Clemson vs. LSU matchup. Now, get your bets against the spread, total, and money-lines for every Week 1 college football game here.

Want even more insights from SportsLine? Discover top Week 1 college football picks from expert Bruce Marshall, who is enjoying a remarkable 56-34-3 run (+1833) on his last 93 ATS picks.