ESPN's Week 1 Overreactions: LSU As A National Title Contender

LSU made quite the first impression in Lane Kiffin's debut on Saturday night.

The Tigers dominated Clemson, 51-10, in the season opener, piling up 309 rushing yards while Blake Baker's defense overwhelmed the visiting Tigers throughout the night.

The performance caught the attention of ESPN, which labeled LSU a "national title contender" in its Week 1 overreactions.

ESPN pointed to LSU's transfer-heavy offense, Sam Leavitt's ability to spread the ball around, and a dominant defensive performance that held Clemson to just 54 yards in the first half.

The outlet also noted that LSU delivered the statement win without Dae'Quan Wright or Zxavian Harris on the roster following a week of legal drama surrounding their eligibility.

Here's what ESPN had to say about the Tigers after Saturday's blowout:

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LSU is a national title contender

It should never be an overreaction to proclaim LSU awesome, but with zero top-10 finishes in the 2020s, the Tigers hadn't put together all that many awe-inspiring performances of late. But they annihilated Clemson 51-10 in Lane Kiffin's debut as LSU head coach. A transfer-heavy offense mowed down Clemson's defensive front to the tune of 309 rushing yards, and Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt completed at least one 20-yard pass to four different receivers. Winston Watkins Jr., one of a few transfers from Ole Miss -- the school Kiffin so controversially left last season -- led the way with seven catches for 110 yards.

The defense was even more dominant than the offense. Kiffin smartly retained coordinator Blake Baker and supplemented a pretty experienced defensive core with some star transfers. Tennessee transfer Jordan Ross and Ole Miss transfer Princewill Umanmielen combined for four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and, via Ross, a pick-six. Returnees end Dylan Carpenter and linebackers Davhon Keys and (especially) Whit Weeks were endlessly disruptive. At halftime, LSU had gained 336 yards and allowed 54.

LSU did all this despite electing not to roster tight end Dae'Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris; the duo had signed with professional teams as undrafted free agents, but both were recently released and had declared their intentions to play for LSU. (Calling them "former pros," as has become customary from those who benefit from people being scared of this development, makes everything seem far more menacing.) LSU and the SEC had seemingly spent the past week in court arguing with each other about whether this was legal and what the repercussions might be if Wright and Harris played. In the end, the Tigers didn't need them at all.

Most top-ranked teams avoided serious challenges this weekend, but even in a sea of blowouts, this one stood out. LSU means business and looks quite interested in its first serious national title push of the decade.

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