Clemson vs South Carolina Football 2025: Kickoff Time, TV Channel, and Bold Predictions for the Palmetto Rivalry

CLEMSON, S.C. — The city of Clemson, South Carolina is buzzing this weekend as the No. 4 Clemson Tigers prepare to kick off their 2025 football season with a top-10 showdown against No. 9 LSU at Memorial Stadium tonight. Quarterbacks Cade Klubnik and Garrett Nussmeier headline a primetime matchup many analysts say could shape the early College Football Playoff conversation. The electric atmosphere started Friday evening when thousands lined College Avenue for Clemson University’s annual First Friday Parade, themed “Eye of the Tiger, Heart of the Champion.” Marching bands, student organizations, and legendary alumni rallied fans with orange-and-purple pageantry ahead of the LSU clash. Local businesses reported a surge in visitors, with restaurants extending hours and hotels nearing full capacity. While football takes center stage, other Clemson sports are also drawing eyes. On Thursday, No. 12 South Carolina and Clemson women’s soccer battled to a scoreless draw at Historic Riggs Field, underscoring the intensity of the Palmetto State rivalry early in the fall slate. The men’s squad will welcome Appalachian State on Sunday at 7 p.m., with free admission for fans and streaming available on ACCNX. Beyond athletics, city officials announced the completion of a fresh coat of paint on the Butler Street water tower, a project aimed at improving both infrastructure integrity and skyline aesthetics. The refurbishment, part of a broader utilities upgrade, comes just in time to greet the influx of visitors flooding into Clemson for Labor Day weekend events. Traffic advisories remain in effect around Memorial Stadium and downtown Clemson, with police urging fans to arrive early, use designated parking lots, and take advantage of shuttle services. The South Carolina Department of Transportation has placed variable message boards on U.S. 123 and S.C. 93 to manage gameday congestion. Forecasts call for clear skies and temperatures in the low 80s at kickoff, ideal conditions for tailgating at iconic spots like Bowman Field and the Esso Club. Local retailers have reported record sales of Tiger paw apparel, signaling strong community optimism for head coach Dabo Swinney’s 17th campaign. Whether you’re cheering in Death Valley or following from afar, this Clemson-South Carolina weekend promises unforgettable moments on the field, in the parade route, and across a town where orange pride runs as deep as Lake Hartwell.