Locked On Clemson - Daily Podcast on All Things Clemson Sports

Clemson does not need to spend opening night trying to beat LSU’s biggest stars.

Morgan Thomas breaks down the areas Clemson should actively hunt against Lane Kiffin’s Tigers, starting with Weston Davis and Bo Bordelon along LSU’s offensive line.

Can Jaheim Lawson, Will Heldt, Sammy Brown and Amare Adams force LSU to change its protection without Tom Allen having to blitz constantly?

Then the focus shifts to LSU’s young defensive interior. Deuce Geralds and Richard Anderson are extremely talented, but Clemson should make those freshmen prove they can handle double teams, movement and a physical running game for four quarters.

Finally, Chad Morris gets his opportunity to create conflict at LSU’s STAR position, using Bryant Wesco Jr., T.J. Moore, motion and formation changes to force that defender into difficult decisions.

The strategy is simple: don’t play LSU’s recruiting rankings. Make its least-proven players win the game.

00:00 Clemson’s plan to attack LSU’s question marks

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Clemson’s opener at LSU may come down to three individual matchups.

Bryant Wesco Jr. has to force LSU to respect Clemson’s vertical passing game. Will Heldt has to pressure Sam Leavitt without giving him easy escape lanes. And Brayden Jacobs faces a massive assignment against Princewill Umanmielen that could determine how much of Chad Morris’ offense Clemson can actually run.

Morgan Thomas breaks down why these three Clemson players could shape the entire game, what their matchups mean for Christopher Vizzina, and what Clemson has to prove in Baton Rouge.

Can Wesco force LSU to change its coverage? Can Heldt keep Leavitt inside the pocket? And if Jacobs struggles against Princewill, can Clemson fairly evaluate Vizzina at all?

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Follow Morgan on X: @themorgantshow

00:00 Three Clemson players who could decide LSU

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Clemson may have caught a break before its season opener at LSU.

The SEC has moved to block former professional players from returning to college competition, potentially preventing LSU from adding Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to Lane Kiffin’s already aggressive roster rebuild.

Morgan Thomas explains why Harris matters more to Clemson than Wright, especially with Clemson’s young offensive line preparing for Princewill Umanmielen and LSU’s defensive front.

But this does not suddenly make LSU an easy matchup. Sam Leavitt, Jordan Seaton, Trey’Dez Green and Umanmielen are still major problems.

Plus, Clemson-LSU has become a fascinating roster-building debate. Dabo Swinney continues to prioritize development, continuity and selective portal additions, while Kiffin is willing to attack almost every available talent market.

September 5 in Baton Rouge will give us the first real look at which approach is better prepared to win right now.

00:00 Clemson Catches a Break Before LSU

01:50 Did Lane Kiffin Find a Dangerous Loophole?

04:40 Why College Football Had to Shut It Down

08:17 Competitive Balance and the Future of the Sport

12:29 What the New Rule Means for Clemson

15:57 Dae’Quan Wright vs. Zxavian Harris

16:49 Clemson’s Offensive Line Gets Some Help

20:01 Dabo Swinney vs. Lane Kiffin

22:03 Two Completely Different Roster Philosophies

24:56 What Clemson Must Prove in Baton Rouge

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Vic Burley’s indefinite suspension does not cost Clemson a proven star, but it makes an already questionable defensive tackle room even harder to trust heading into LSU.

Morgan Thomas breaks down why Burley’s value was greater than his career production suggests, why Amare Adams now becomes even more important, and what Clemson needs from Andy Burburija and Markus Strong.

Plus, what happens to Tom Allen’s defense if Clemson cannot control the A and B gaps without committing extra resources? And if defensive tackle remains a weakness in 2026, how much responsibility falls on Nick Eason and Clemson’s development at the position?

The Tigers have bodies. The question is whether they have enough proven answers.

00:00 Why Vic Burley’s Suspension Matters
05:40 Clemson Has Lost More Than Production
08:52 Dabo Is Still Looking for a DT “Alpha”
16:35 Amare Adams Has to Step Up
18:22 Does Clemson Have Proven DT Depth?
21:22 How LSU Should Attack Clemson
25:05 How DT Problems Affect Tom Allen’s Defense
26:53 Pressure Mounts on Nick Eason
27:33 Clemson’s Margin for Error Is Gone

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Which LSU players should Clemson fans be most worried about in the season opener?

Morgan Thomas breaks down the biggest individual threats Clemson will face in Baton Rouge, starting with Princewill Umanmielen and his matchup against Clemson’s young offensive line. Sam Leavitt brings another challenge with his ability to stress a defense both as a passer and runner, while Trey’Dez Green creates a major problem in the red zone.

The conversation also turns to Clemson’s answers. Can Braden Jacobs hold up on the edge? Can Amare Adams give Clemson the interior disruption it needs? How important will Sammy Brown be against LSU’s running game? And can Corey Myrick help Clemson deal with Green’s size?

LSU has plenty of talent, but Clemson has players capable of answering those challenges. These are the matchups that could decide whether Clemson can hang around and win in Baton Rouge.

00:00 LSU’s biggest threats against Clemson
03:28 Princewill Umanmielen vs. Clemson’s offensive line
07:49 Why Trey’Dez Green is a matchup problem
14:13 LSU’s next group of players to watch
17:48 Whit Weeks and LSU’s linebacker threat
23:15 Which Clemson players have to step up
25:37 Amare Adams and Clemson’s defensive front

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Miami Hurricanes enter the ACC football season as favorites, but can Darian Mensah and his squad finally get over the hump, or will Louisville, SMU, or Clemson crash the championship party? The ACC Squad debates which two teams will punch their ticket to Charlotte, spotlighting top contenders like Isaac Brown and Kevin Jennings, and examining vital matchups set to shape the playoff race. Key storylines include bold predictions for the ACC’s Heisman chances, the impact of transfers and injuries—like Jennings’ infamous hand injury—and the ever-present SEC bias. Riveting discussions cover pivotal games such as SMU vs. Louisville, Miami at Clemson, and Duke’s return trip to face Mensah and the Hurricanes. As preseason polls stir controversy and playoff aspirations soar, the hosts break down each team’s path and question if the ACC can sneak two or even three programs into the College Football Playoff.

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Clemson fans have plenty of reasons to feel better about 2026, but after last year’s 7-6 disappointment, August optimism only goes so far.

Morgan Thomas breaks down why this offseason feels more credible than 2025, including Dabo Swinney’s coaching changes, Chad Morris’ return, Clemson’s increased use of the transfer portal, Rich Bisaccia’s special teams overhaul and a different approach to practice.

But the real test comes against LSU in Baton Rouge.

Can Christopher Vizzina handle adversity? Can Clemson’s young offensive line hold up? Will Chad Morris have answers once LSU adjusts? And if Clemson loses, can the Tigers still show enough to prove this program has genuinely changed?

The biggest concern is not simply starting 0-1. It is watching Clemson fall into the same patterns that produced a 7-6 season.

Clemson does not have to beat LSU to prove it changed, but it absolutely cannot look like the same team when LSU punches back.

00:00 Why Clemson’s August optimism feels different
05:55 Dabo Swinney makes real coaching changes
07:56 Chad Morris and Clemson’s new offensive approach
13:16 Does Clemson have to beat LSU?
16:43 The offensive line’s biggest test
17:35 What Christopher Vizzina must prove against LSU
20:55 How Clemson must respond to adversity
27:05 The nightmare scenario for Clemson
28:26 What LSU will reveal about the 2026 Tigers

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Clemson Tigers’ offensive line emerges as the true X-factor ahead of a high-stakes showdown with LSU. With the departure of key starters, Morgan Thomas breaks down how Matt Luke is assembling the crucial best 5. Can this lineup provide much-needed stability and allow Christopher Vizzina to thrive under pressure in Baton Rouge?

Key insights include the ongoing right side battle, the importance of communication and chemistry up front, and how offensive line performance could shape Chad Morris’ entire game plan. Morgan explores potential dark horse contributors, highlights scrimmage positives, and weighs whether Clemson’s O-line can limit chaos, succeed in short-yardage situations, and ultimately power the Tigers to a statement win on the road. The countdown to LSU is on—will Clemson’s offensive front be ready?

00:00 Clemson's offensive line strategy

05:45 Evaluating Clemson's offensive line stability

07:53 Choosing experienced players for LSU game

09:44 Clemson scrimmage

14:23 Football training camp insights

18:19 Chad Morris's offensive strategy

20:37 Getting tickets with GameTime app

25:23 Clemson and LSU needing more time

26:19 Building Clemson's Offensive Line

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Polo Anderson’s ACL injury is a real setback for Clemson, but it should be weighed properly.

Morgan Thomas breaks down why Anderson’s injury does not rewrite Clemson’s defensive plan for LSU, but does hurt the Tigers’ safety depth, special teams upside, and long-term development. Corey Myrick, Jerome Carter III, and Ronan Hanafin remain the top safety group, while Kylon Griffin, Noah Dixon, and Jakarrion Kenan become more important behind them.

Key topics include Anderson’s versatility, Tom Allen’s safety rotation, Rich Bisaccia’s coverage units, and why this injury matters more for Clemson’s season-long depth than the Week 1 game plan.

00:00 Polo Anderson injury update

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Clemson’s secondary may be dramatically better after portal additions, but that could shift the pressure to the defensive front.

Morgan Thomas breaks down whether Clemson’s defensive tackles can hold up against LSU’s run game in the season opener. With Peter Woods, T.J. Parker, and Damonte Capehart gone, the Tigers need players like Amare Adams, Vic Burley, Markus Strong, Andy Burburija, and Devarrick Woods to become reliable quickly.

Key topics include LSU’s potential rushing attack, Lane Kiffin’s matchup plan, Clemson’s interior defensive line concerns, and whether improved secondary play could force opponents to attack the Tigers on the ground.

00:00 Clemson’s defensive identity is changing

05:35 Why LSU may target Clemson’s interior

07:02 Clemson’s defensive front faces a real test

17:17 Replacing Peter Woods and T.J. Parker

23:34 Clemson vs. LSU matchup discussion

28:58 Can Clemson’s defensive line hold up?

30:54 Final thoughts and upcoming radio segments

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