When Two Tigers Collide
When you hear “Tigers vs Tigers,” it usually means you’re at the zoo, someone’s confused about SEC mascots, or you’ve stumbled upon one of college football’s rare but electric matchups: Clemson vs LSU.
This isn’t an annual grudge match like Georgia vs Florida. Clemson and LSU are more like cousins who only see each other at weddings and spend the night trying to out-toast each other. But when they do meet? Sparks are sure to fly.
Let’s take a walk through this not-so-long but always unforgettable history between the two Death Valleys. And yes, begrudgingly, I will talk about that nickname too.
Game 1: 1959 Sugar Bowl
LSU 7, Clemson 0
January 1, 1959 – New Orleans, LA
The very first meeting came on New Year’s Day in the Sugar Bowl. LSU entered undefeated at 10–0 and ranked No. 1, featuring future Heisman winner Billy Cannon. Clemson, led by legendary coach Frank Howard, was 7–2–1 and ready for a fight.
The game was a defensive grinder. The only score came on a short Cannon touchdown run in the third quarter. Clemson nearly tied it up late, but fumbled on the goal line. LSU’s defense held firm.
Final Score: LSU 7, Clemson 0
Clemson MVP: Defensive line
LSU MVP: Billy Cannon
It was LSU’s first national championship. For Clemson, it was a long ride home—and a chip placed firmly on the shoulder.
Game 2: 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl – One of the Best Game’s in Years for Clemson Fans (prior to the national title game appearances)
Clemson 25, LSU 24
December 31, 2012 – Atlanta, GA
Fifty-four years later, Clemson got their chance at revenge, and oh, did they take it.
No. 14 Clemson, coached by Dabo Swinney, entered the Georgia Dome to face No. 9 LSU and another legendary coach, Les Miles. The game turned into the Tajh Boyd Show.
Boyd threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns, taking brutal hits all night from LSU’s front seven. Clemson’s wide receiver DeAndre “Nuk” Hopkins put on a performance for the ages: 191 yards, two touchdowns, and highlight reel footwork.
Down 24–22 with 1:39 left, Boyd led a heroic 87-yard drive. Two fourth-down conversions. One perfect kick from Chandler Catanzaro. And as the new year clock struck midnight…
Final Score: Clemson 25, LSU 24
Clemson MVP: Tajh Boyd and Nuk Hopkins
LSU MVP: Barkevious Mingo (six sacks)
This wasn’t just a bowl win. It was a launching pad for Clemson’s national rise and things to come.
Game 3: 2020 National Championship
LSU 42, Clemson 25
January 13, 2020 – New Orleans, LA
Two undefeateds. Two national brands. One title.
Clemson came in riding a 29-game win streak. LSU entered with a quarterback on fire: Ohio State transfer, Joe Burrow.
Early on, Clemson took a 17–7 lead, and it felt like the orange Tigers were going to do it again. But Burrow lit the night on fire.
He threw for 463 yards, five touchdowns, and ran for another. His top target Ja’Marr Chase torched Clemson for 221 yards receiving. LSU’s defense clamped down in the second half, holding Trevor Lawrence to just 49 percent passing, his lowest ever in a Clemson uniform.
Final Score: LSU 42, Clemson 25
LSU MVP: Joe Burrow
Clemson MVP: Isaiah Simmons
It was Clemson’s first loss in two years. It was LSU’s greatest season of all time. Clemson retained their Hall of Fame Coach, LSU fired theirs two seasons later.
Each meeting has come on a major stage. Two bowl games and one national championship. These are not your average Saturday matchups, they are marquee matchups. Matchups we were told would go away with the lessening of the meaning of regular season games. But here we are.
Who’s the Real “Death Valley”?
Who cares? Some people do, so here we go. Both teams claim the name. Both fan bases will go to their graves defending it. I can’t stand this unnecessary banter. Why does it matter? LSU was actually “Deaf” Valley when they were named. Clemson, named by an old Presbyterian coach because it was so hot one September day years ago.
Also, Clemson’s Memorial Stadium was first nicknamed “Death Valley” in the 1940s also when that opposing coach and others said their teams “always got killed there.”
LSU’s Tiger Stadium earned the title for its DEAFening noise and rowdy night games.
One has Howard’s Rock. One has a live Tiger in a cage. One shakes from a cannon. One shakes from 102,000 liquored-up (corn-dog smelling, allegedly) voices.
Pick your poison. Or enjoy both. We’re not judging. Both can have the moniker, heck there are 3 teams in the SEC alone called Tigers! (or is Auburn War Eagle? So confusing over there.)
What If They Played Every Year?
Let’s dream for a second, shall we?
Dabo vs Brian Kelly every September.
Night games in Baton Rouge. 3:30 kickoffs in the Upstate.
Playoff stakes. SEC vs ACC. The Station vs Mac’s Drive In.
Gumbo vs. Barbecue.
With playoff expansion and conference chaos in full swing, this may become more than fantasy. Clemson and LSU are both national powerhouses, and from the outside looking in, neither are going anywhere.
I guess that dream will be for another day, so for now we get these two national powers opening weekend in the (real)Valley!
Final Thoughts: Every Tiger Has Its Day
These games weren’t just contests. They were moments that shaped national titles and turned programs into or possibly ended dynasties.
1959 LSU announces itself as a national power.
2012 Clemson’s rise to the playoff era begins; some say BECAUSE of this game and 4th and 16!
2020 LSU caps off the one of the most dominant seasons ever…and Clemson was leading in the early parts of the game too!
Fast Forward to August 31st when the two Tigers meet. We should expect more fireworks. More chaos. More greatness. And a Tiger victory. Bad joke, I know, but we all know who we are pulling for here.
Because when these two Tigers clash, the whole country will be watching. Week 1. Almost here.
See you in Death Valley.
Whichever one you believe is real.
GO Tigers! We spell it correctly!
