Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, home of the LSU Tigers, is just over 80 miles from the Mercedes Benz Superdome, taking just over an hour driving down I-10. As the only major college football program in the state, the Tigers are sure to have the support of the whole state of Louisiana.
The third-seeded Clemson Tigers, on the other hand, were not able to make a short day trip to the Big Easy. Clemson Memorial Stadium, the real Death Valley, is almost 600 miles from the Superdome. The trip clocks in at just under eight-and-a-half hours.
ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit told Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence that the crowd turnout would be “70/30 … maybe 80/20 [in favor of LSU]. It’s gonna feel like a road game.” Lawrence responded to Herbstreit’s comment, simply saying “We wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Reporter Tom Rinaldi asked LSU head coach Ed Orgeron what he was expected in terms of the atmosphere at the national championship game. “A home game,” Orgeron replied, “It’ll be a special night for the state of Louisiana … we have to use it to our advantage.”
Clemson looks to spoil the party of the hometown team and claim its third national title in four years.
Oklahoma Sooners fans, the team LSU beat in dominating fashion in the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl, recalled their trip to New Orleans for the 2004 Sugar Bowl to Berry Tramel in an article first published by The Oklahoman.
Now-68-year-old Randy Stansel told The Oklahoman “I have never been treated worse by any fan base. I can deal with ‘Tiger bait,’ but when you are in my face, drunk, spitting as you scream at me, it becomes more than annoying.”
Tramel states in his article that more than five dozen Oklahoma fans reached out to him to comment on LSU fans’ behavior at the 2004 Sugar Bowl.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has a personal connection to the Superdome. Swinney, then a walk-on receiver, and the 1992 Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Miami Hurricanes to claim that year’s national championship in the 1993 Sugar Bowl.
“So 27 years ago, I’m in the same hotel. So be nice to get the same result, but this is just an awesome venue,” Swinney told the press Saturday morning. He added, “I’m glad we’re only here a couple days. It’s kind of that championship mode … we’re just kind of focused on getting ready for the game now.”
Coach Swinney added “We could have just played the game in Baton Rouge. … It’s going to be like a road game.”
Swinney and the Clemson Tigers look to repeat Swinney’s 1993 Sugar Bowl glory and reclaim the national title Monday night in the Superdome.
