The appetizer that was week zero in college football certainly delivered in a time of desperation for fans across the country wanting just a taste of what is to come this season.
But after seven long months of waiting, the main course finally arrives this week, headlined by Clemson’s trip to Baton Rouge for a Saturday night showdown in Death Valley — and Lane Kiffin’s LSU debut.
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Trust me, I understand fans are sick of hearing about the ongoing court battles between athletes from the 2022 class and the SEC.
But there is another fight brewing in Baton Rouge on Thursday morning that will draw plenty of attention.
LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin speaks at SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at Tampa Marriott Water Street in Tampa, Fla., on July 23, 2026. (Getty Images)
SEC bringing their lawyers to Baton Rouge for a courtroom battle on Thursday
When plaintiffs in the Louisiana case added the SEC to their amended complaint over the weekend, taking aim at Conference commissioner Greg Sankey for his part in enacting new guidelines approved by member schools, it was only a matter of time before this route was taken by attorneys.
Now, before LSU takes on Clemson on Saturday, a courtroom will be the setting for the latest round between class of 2022 athletes and the NCAA.
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On Sunday night, OutKick asked the SEC about being added to the case, which the conference then provided a statement noting they would be inside the Baton Rouge courthouse in order to argue their case.
“The order entered against the SEC and Commissioner Sankey is a temporary restraining order, not a final ruling on the merits, the conference noted. “The SEC and Commissioner Sankey are prepared to contest the allegations in the plaintiffs’ petition at Thursday morning’s hearing and defend the SEC’s rights as a voluntary association to fulfill its mission to its member institutions.
In the meantime, the SEC and Commissioner Sankey will continue to comply with the Court’s order. Following the hearing, the SEC will carefully review the Court’s decision and determine the appropriate next steps”
What does that final sentence mean?
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SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey speaks at SEC Football Media Day at the Tampa Marriott Water Street in Tampa, Fla., on July 20, 2026. (Getty Images)
Well, if an injunction is granted for the athletes in this case and some of those athletes take the field on Saturday night for LSU against Clemson, or listed on Friday’s final roster report, the SEC would then have to make a decision on how to enforce their own rules pertaining to athletes with NFL ties.
OutKick will have you covered this week from both the courthouse on Thursday morning, and inside Tiger Stadium on Saturday night.
We have officially made it to Week 1 of the college football season
Thankfully, we had a number of games this past weekend that delivered enough drama to get us through the next four days.
I don’t think many of us, myself included, expected Bill Belichick to lead his North Carolina team to a win over TCU in Ireland. But, I’d also say that it’s hard to take away a lot from that one game, besides the fact that Sonny Dykes is desperately missing quarterback Josh Hoover after he transferred to Indiana.
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But, the Tar Heels certainly needed a win to create a spark in Chapel Hill before having to play Notre Dame and Clemson over the next month. Heck, they really just needed a win, which obviously was accomplished.
Also, how about Memphis going to Las Vegas and upsetting UNLV? Monster win for Charles Huff, which left Dan Mullen complaining about his own fans starting the ‘wave’ while his offense was on the field.
Yes, this actually transpired, Mullen was upset.
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Now, looking ahead to a jam-packed schedule this week, it all starts in Atlanta on Thursday night, as Deion Sanders will roam the Georgia Tech sidelines in primetime.
Here’s a look at which games I’ve got my eye on this week.
- Clemson vs. LSU — Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET
We have spent seven months talking about Lane Kiffin leading LSU out of the tunnel at Tiger Stadium, and it finally comes to fruition Saturday night in Death Valley.
Expectations are sky-high across Louisiana, and nationally, for this LSU team. But this is also a measuring-stick game for Dabo Swinney and Clemson. Can he lead the Tigers into one of the sport’s most hostile environments and leave with a victory?
Predictions are coming later this week, but that is a tall task for Clemson.
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Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney prepares to run on the field with his team before a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field on Sept. 13, 2025. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
- Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin — Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Here we go. The Fighting Irish will face the Badgers at Lambeau Field to begin what should be a season that ends in the College Football Playoff for Notre Dame.
We will also get a fresh look at Heisman Trophy candidate CJ Carr, while Luke Fickell and Wisconsin could have their hands full trying to keep this Fighting Irish offense out of the end zone. A potentially massive season awaits Marcus Freeman and his team.
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- Louisville vs. Ole Miss — Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Year One for Pete Golding as Ole Miss’ full-time head coach begins with a neutral-site matchup against Louisville in Nashville.
We know what the Rebels have on offense, with Trinidad Chambliss at quarterback and Kewan Lacy back for what could be another highlight-filled season at running back. But don’t sleep on Louisville in this one. I’m just saying.
- SMU vs. Florida State — Monday, 7:30 p.m. ET
After a lackluster showing against New Mexico State this past weekend, Florida State better figure out how to contain SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings.
If it doesn’t, this could be the beginning of a stretch that puts Mike Norvell’s job in serious jeopardy over the next two months.
- Colorado vs. Georgia Tech — Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Auburn vs. Baylor — Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
- Washington State vs. Washington — Sunday, 3 p.m. ET
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders stands on the field before the start of the spring game at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo., on April 11, 2026. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
Go ahead and get all of those chores done now, or figure out how to get out of an event planned by your family or significant other.
College football is officially back, and I can promise there will be an upset this weekend that Vegas isn’t predicting.
It might not be the strongest slate of games we’ll see all season, but nobody had better be complaining about a five-day stretch of action over Labor Day weekend.
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See all of you Clemson and LSU fans in Baton Rouge this week.
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