I think we’re underestimating how much all the noise and newness surrounding LSU could matter Saturday.

New head coach. New AD. New quarterback. A roster loaded with new faces. Players and coaches still learning each other. And now the eligibility controversy has become one of the biggest stories in college football.

That’s a lot going on when you’re trying to prepare for a football game.

And here’s the problem:

Clemson isn’t some Week 1 cupcake you can sleepwalk through while you’re figuring everything out.

They have enough talent to make LSU pay for mistakes. A busted protection. A communication problem. A turnover. A couple of pre-snap penalties. Suddenly you’re in a four-quarter football game.

I don’t necessarily think Lane Kiffin himself will be distracted by all the noise. He seems to thrive in it.

I’m more concerned about the football operation around him. New systems, new players, new coaches and new responsibilities take time to come together.

LSU may ultimately be the better football team. They may look completely different six weeks from now.

But they don’t get six weeks.

They get Clemson Saturday.

And if LSU isn’t completely focused and ready to play from the opening kick, this could turn into a very bad day in Baton Rouge.

Clemson is nobody’s pushover.