LSU football’s season opener against Clemson gets a preview from the…

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik planned to start watching film of the LSU defense this week, getting a jump on his preparation for a likely top-10 matchup in the season opener.

After LSU added nine defensive transfers, many of whom are expected to have key roles, most of the players whom Klubnik sees on tape won’t be on the field this fall. But that’s not really the point. He needs to study second-year defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s system.

“At the end of the day, they’ve got the same coach, so they’re going to be getting coached the same way,” Klubnik said at the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux last weekend. “They should have the same rules and the same schemes.”

When he does, he could notice some familiar faces. Klubnik played last season against former NC State safety Tamarcus Cooley, former Florida State defensive end Patrick Payton and former Virginia Tech cornerback Mansoor Delane. He planned to examine the aggression and technique of the LSU defensive backs — if their previous team asked them to do the same things as Baker.

“For me, as a quarterback, studying a little bit of personnel,” Klubnik said, “but a lot more, honestly, scheme and schematics and what they do.”

Klubnik will give the LSU defense an immediate test. A former five-star recruit and the No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 class, he was supposed to revive Clemson’s quarterback play a couple of years after Trevor Lawrence left. His development took a little bit longer, but now entering his senior year, Klubnik is a projected first-round pick and potential Heisman Trophy contender.

The optimism comes from what he did last season. In his second year as a starter, Klubnik completed 63.4% of his throws for 3,639 yards with 36 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed for 463 yards and seven scores while leading Clemson to an ACC championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Klubnik said Clemson played the most freshmen in the country the past two years, and though that could have contributed to some rough losses, the team now has continuity and experience.

Clemson ranks first in the country in returning production at 81%, according to ESPN. It brought back eight starters on offense and nine starters on defense, including projected first-round picks TJ Parker and Peter Woods on the defensive line.

“They’re really consistent in their pace of play and their effort,” Klubnik said of Parker and Woods. “They’re not guys who are going to take a play off. Every time that they’re in there, they’re going to be giving it their all. They’re aggressive, and they’re confident guys. That’s what they are, they’re confident.”

Klubnik was complimentary of LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, saying “his ability for timing routes is one of the best in the country.” They had crossed paths a couple of times before seeing each other again at the Manning Passing Academy.

“I’ve played some really good quarterbacks over the years, and Garrett is going to be one of the best that I’ve played,” Klubnik said. “I think being able to manage the game and take advantage of every drive is going to be huge.”

The first game could be one of the top nonconference matchups in college football this season. Klubnik has not won the opener yet as a starter, and he has never played one at home. But at least publicly, he downplayed its importance.

That’s because Klubnik knows the outcome won’t determine the rest of the season. Last year, Clemson lost 34-3 to Georgia in Week 1 before reaching the inaugural 12-team playoff.

“It’s just as important as any other game in my mind,” Klubnik said. “At the end of the day, I can’t treat that game any different than I would Week 2 or Week 3. It’s a long season, and I’m just trying to be my best self and trying to prepare myself and put my team in the best situation that I can to get ready for a long year.”