# Why Louisiana Tech could test LSU more than Clemson did

> Clemson never made LSU's defense sweat. A team that just hung 80 points might actually ask a few questions.
- Title: Why Louisiana Tech could test LSU more than Clemson did
- Summary: Clemson never made LSU's defense sweat. A team that just hung 80 points might actually ask a few questions. Balance beats talent as a stress test. Clemson…
- Keywords: lsu, college football, louisiana tech, defense, lane kiffin, sports, Louisiana, Tech, test, more, Clemson, did
- Source: LSU Tigers On SI — https://si.com/college/lsu/football/could-louisiana-tech-be-a-bigger-challenge-for-lsu-than-clemson-after-80-point-explosion
- Published: 2026-09-12T15:29:19+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: lsu, college football, louisiana tech, defense, lane kiffin, sports
## The test that never came
LSU spent Week 1 bracing for one of the toughest offenses on its schedule. Clemson barely laid a glove on the Tigers.
## A 51-10 dismantling
In Lane Kiffin's LSU debut, the Tigers held Clemson to 145 total yards and eight first downs. Clemson didn't reach the end zone until the fourth quarter was almost done.
## Nothing on the ground
Clemson finished with 40 rushing yards and converted one of 13 third downs. There was never a moment where the offense looked like it belonged.
## Now a different problem
LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker gets a completely different kind of offense on Saturday, and this one arrives feeling good about itself.
## Tech is not Clemson
The Bulldogs lack Clemson's recruiting profile, depth and Power Four bodies. Eighty points against Northwestern State doesn't turn them into an upset threat in Tiger Stadium.
## But 80 is still 80
Louisiana Tech beat Northwestern State 80-6 with 528 total yards, a program record for points as a Division I team.

> Any time you score 80 points, even over 50, no matter who you're playing, that's doing a lot of things right on offense
## The thing Clemson lacked
Tech rushed for 232 yards and four scores and threw for 296 and six more. They averaged 6.3 yards a carry, hit 17 of 22 passes and converted seven of 11 third downs.
## Explosive from snap one
Quarterback Blake Baker hit Jalen Mickens for a 75-yard touchdown on Louisiana Tech's first offensive play. Mickens needed three catches to reach 133 yards.
## How LSU won the math
The Tigers logged 11 tackles for loss and four sacks, keeping Clemson behind the chains. With no run game to respect, LSU could attack one dimension at a time.
## Tech's actual job
Nobody expects a repeat of 80. But if the Bulldogs move the ball on the ground and pop an explosive early, Baker has to open up more of his playbook.
## The hangover risk
Kiffin says holding the same intensity after a blowout is its own problem, and he started pushing on it right away.

> That's a big challenge, one that I've been on them immediately. Just knowing how that goes, that's a real thing.
## Last year's warning
LSU was ranked No. 3 and still only beat Louisiana Tech 23-7 in Tiger Stadium. The Tigers controlled it, but it stayed uncomfortable longer than anyone wanted.
## Questions worth asking
Tech arrives with confidence, balance and real explosive ability. That combination could force LSU's defense to answer things Clemson never got around to asking.
## Key takeaway

Balance beats talent as a stress test. Clemson had the bigger name but never made LSU defend two dimensions at once, and Louisiana Tech can.