Ashleigh Snyder
Clemson provides a unique game day experience, leaving traveling away fans with a day they'll never forget.
With the season opener less than a week away, Clemson and LSU look to start their season strong with a signature win; however, the game is more than just two powerhouses meeting on the field. It’s a clash of cultures, traditions and fanbases that live and breathe college football.
The similarities are obvious: both schools reside in the southeast, boast a history of dominance, proudly claim their stadium as the “real” Death Valley, call themselves the Tigers and are led by Heisman-hopeful quarterbacks. But step beyond the field and you’ll quickly see the two different flavors of college football.
The setting, the fans and the spirit
Clemson, South Carolina, is the quintessential college town. Tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and perched beside Lake Hartwell, the town transforms into a sea of orange on game day. The community revolves around the University, and you can feel warmth and hospitality most during a game day.
Games in small-town Clemson feel like one giant family reunion. The orange and purple aren’t just colors — they’re a way of life. The atmosphere is welcoming, people are easygoing and the experience reflects that close-knit charm.
Travel 700 miles southwest, and the atmosphere couldn’t be more different.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a state capital infused with Cajun and college football. Game days feel more like a festival, with the city carrying the energy influenced by nearby New Orleans — often resembling a Mardi Gras-style celebration.
LSU fans lean into their reputation among the rowdiest in college sports. Tiger Stadium is known for its deafening crowds and ability to intimidate opposing players and crowds like no other. LSU fans are unapologetically proud and determined to make Death Valley one of the best environments in the sport.
If Clemson is a family, LSU is a party. Both are equally passionate, just expressed in their own ways.
Traditions, food and game day tastes
The same contrast shows up in each school’s traditions and game day taste.
Clemson revolves around ritual. Fans begin their days tailgating hours before kickoff, filling themselves up with southern staples like pulled pork barbecue, fried chicken and pimento cheese before heading into the stadium.
Still, before the game begins, head coach Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers touch Howard’s Rock and charge down the hill in one of football’s most iconic entrances — deemed “the most exciting 25 seconds of college football.”
The crowd’s roar and the band’s playing of Tiger Rag give Clemson an unmatched electricity and a tradition that’s hard to beat.
LSU, meanwhile, elevates its Saturdays to an all-out cultural event.
The Tigers are famous for their night games, where “It’s Saturday Night in Death Valley” has become a powerful tradition embodying the passion of over 100,000 people. The atmosphere is relentless, and intimidation is undeniable.
In Louisiana, football and food are inseparable. Baton Rouge tailgates are iconic, known for their jambalaya, crawfish and gumbo simmering in pots and ability to feed anyone and everyone.
The music, dancing and food make LSU seem as much like a Cajun festival as a sporting event in an environment you won’t get anywhere else in the country.
Two Death Valleys, two different worlds
The Clemson and LSU opener won’t just set the tone for the season, but will also shine a light on what makes college football special.
From small-town traditions to culture-filled celebrations, both schools bring a unique feel. No matter which Tiger ends up on top, fans will be reminded that the culture around the game is just as unforgettable as the action on the field.