Heather Dinich explains which team has the most at stake in LSU vs. Clemson game
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
The college football world will definitely be paying close attention when No. 9 LSU heads to No. 4 Clemson in Week 1 on Aug. 30.
Both teams are hopeful to reach the College Football Playoff, so this presents the chance for an early season résumé builder. During an appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN’s Heather Dinich outlined what’s at stake for each team going into the massive showdown.
Dinich believes Clemson has a golden opportunity to boost the optics with a win against a strong SEC program.
“If Clemson wins this, it has a chance to go 2-0 against the SEC. Remember, they play rival South Carolina in the regular season finale. If they go 2-0 against the SEC and win the ACC, not only are they a lock but they should be 1 of the top 4 teams in the country,” Dinich said. “If they don’t win the ACC and they’re fighting for an at-large bid and 2-0 against the SEC, that’s a non-conference résumé that’s going to be extremely difficult to top for other contenders.”
Meanwhile, Dinich thinks LSU needs a victory to avoid falling into the danger zone because of the competition level in the SEC.
“Then when you look at LSU, if they win that game it’s certainly huge. They have a chance to say ‘Hey, we beat the eventual ACC champs’,” Dinich said. “But if they lose that game, LSU’s schedule is No. 11 in the country. If you’re playing from behind in Week 1, that’s going to be really really tough not to finish as a 2 or even a 3-loss team.”
Dinich cites Alabama last season as a warning for LSU.
“While we will certainly have 3-loss teams under consideration by the selection committee, obviously the more you lose the more dangerous it gets,” Dinich said. “Just ask Alabama, which got bumped out last year at No. 11 as a 3-loss team.”
LSU at Clemson will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on ABC.
