Thoughts on Cade Klubnik and Clemson vs. LSU

I just read a disturbing article—disturbing from an LSU fan's perspective, that is. The article, published by On3, is titled: “Heather Dinich predicts Clemson will beat LSU in Week 1 matchup behind Cade Klubnik.”

Here’s the core of Dinich's prediction:

“Clemson will beat LSU in the season opener and be a serious contender for the national title,” Heather Dinich said. “I say that because Clemson is loaded. They return 80 percent of their production from last year, more than any team in the FBS.”

“Cade Klubnik will be better,” Dinich added. “He’s got another season under his belt with offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. He’s coming off one of the best seasons in school history and has his top three receivers returning.”

In 2024, Klubnik played in 14 games and completed 63.4% of his passes. He threw for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He also rushed for 463 yards and seven more touchdowns.

This article inspired me to take a closer look at Cade Klubnik and consider whether Heather Dinich might be right. My initial thoughts: she’s right about Klubnik, probably wrong about Clemson beating LSU in Week 1, and possibly right that Clemson could be a national contender this year. I turned to ESPN for more data on Klubnik.

What Should We Know About Clemson Quarterback Cade Klubnik?

2024 Season Highlights:

• Klubnik completed 92.3% of his passes vs. App State and 75% vs. The Citadel. He also had a 75.6% completion rate vs. Wake Forest.

• He had two games in 2024 with completion rates under 50%: 47.1% vs. Virginia Tech and 48.4% vs. Stanford. Despite this, he threw 7 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions in those two games, and Clemson scored a combined 64 points.

• Against SEC teams, Klubnik posted respectable completion percentages: 62.1% vs. Georgia, 66.7% vs. South Carolina, and 60.5% vs. Texas. However, he threw 0 touchdowns and 1 interception in the Georgia and South Carolina games. Against Texas, he threw 3 touchdowns and 1 interception.

• In the ACC Championship Game against SMU (a narrow 3-point win), he completed 58.5% of his passes for 4 touchdowns and no interceptions.

• In Clemson’s four losses, Klubnik was sacked an average of twice per game.

• In two close wins—24–14 vs. Virginia Tech and 24–20 vs. Pitt—he was sacked a total of 9 times (4 vs. VT, 5 vs. Pitt).

• In the four games where Clemson allowed 0 sacks, the offense averaged 56 points.

• In games against Georgia, Texas, and SMU (two losses and one close win), Klubnik’s rushing was effectively neutralized: 0 rushing touchdowns, sacked 2–3 times per game, and held to under 2 yards per rush: -4.3 (UGA), 0.4 (Texas), and 1.5 (SMU).

Notably, Clemson has lost four games in each of the last two seasons.

Klubnik in 2022:

According to ESPN’s game logs, Klubnik played in only two games where he completed more than four passes. Clemson went 1–1 in those games.

In the ACC Championship win over North Carolina, he posted an 83.3% completion rate, 279 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, no interceptions, and added 30 rushing yards and a rushing TD. UNC had 0 sacks.

In the Capital One Orange Bowl loss to Tennessee, he completed 55.6% of his passes for 320 yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, and 51 rushing yards with 1 rushing touchdown. Tennessee recorded 4 sacks.

Klubnik in 2023:

• Klubnik’s completion percentages were more stable than in 2024, ranging from 50% (vs. Notre Dame) to 75.7% (vs. Charleston Southern).

• In Clemson’s four 2023 losses, opponents had at least two sacks: Duke (2), Florida State (3), Miami (5), NC State (2).

• In the 38–35 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl win over Kentucky, Klubnik had a 73.2% completion rate but threw 0 touchdowns and 1 interception. Kentucky sacked him 9 times, and he ended with -12 rushing yards.

• Clemson beat both SEC opponents in 2023: Kentucky (by 3) and South Carolina (by 9), making them 2–3 against SEC teams over the past two seasons (2–2 in regular-season games).

Is Heather Dinich Right?

Dinich’s assessment of Cade Klubnik is fair. Over the last two seasons, Klubnik has been consistent in completion percentage (63.9% in 2023, 63.4% in 2024), improved in TD-to-INT ratio (from 19/9 to 36/6), and increased his QB rating (from 126.3 to 148.2).

Dinich might also be right that “Clemson will beat LSU in Week 1” and “be a serious contender for the national title.” These predictions aren’t outrageous. I personally disagree with her Week 1 call, but Clemson may very well make the playoffs again this year.

Still, even if Clemson defeats LSU in the opener, they will not likely be favored in a playoff matchup against a Big Ten or SEC powerhouse. Over the last three years, teams like USC and FSU have beaten LSU in Week 1 and failed to win a national title. FSU even went undefeated and was still left out of the playoff, then got obliterated in their bowl game. That playoff snub arguably deflated the FSU program.

So no, Clemson winning this game doesn’t guarantee a playoff berth. And even if they make it, beating teams like Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Penn State, Ohio State, or Michigan remains unlikely. That’s just the reality for even the best ACC teams in the current playoff landscape.

On the flip side, if LSU wins, they’ll gain a massive confidence boost heading into tough road games against Ole Miss and Alabama. If LSU beats one of those teams and takes care of business against Texas A&M and South Carolina, they’ll have a legitimate case for the national title.

LSU’s schedule is playoff-worthy. Clemson’s is not. That reality might warrant changes to college football’s structure in the future, but for now, that’s the truth.

What Have We Learned About the Clemson/LSU Opener?

LSU’s defense must do two things:

1. Sack Klubnik and limit his mobility.
2. Find a way to force two or more turnovers—ideally interceptions.

Harold Perkins Jr. and Whit Weeks have experience chasing down mobile QBs, but it remains to be seen how their speed and agility hold up post-injury. LSU also added strong edge rushers via the portal: Patrick Payton (FSU) and Jack Pyburn (Florida).

Generating two interceptions against Klubnik will be tough. A better plan might be to focus on pressure and airtight coverage, especially with safety help over the top.

And of course, basic DB 101 still applies: keep receivers in front, make solid tackles, and attack the ball at every opportunity.

If LSU’s defense can channel some of that Nick Saban or Les Miles era dominance—well, that would be awesome.