Dabo Swinney fires back at Brian Kelly in Death Valley debate: 'Google that'

What can only be described as the Battle of Death Valley between Clemson and LSU will be one of the headlining matchups for college football’s Week 1 slate. Both schools refer to their home turf by that name.

Earlier this week, LSU head coach Brian Kelly only stirred the pot when he referred to Clemson’s Memorial Stadium as “Death Valley Junior.” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney isn’t having any of that debate. To him, there’s only on true Death Valley.

“We don’t have to prove that. [It’s Clemson and] that’s a fact,” Swinney said. “Google that.”

The two teams have only played four times in history prior to the Sept. 1 matchup. All of those games came in bowl games or during the postseason, with the latest game coming in 2019 when LSU defeated Clemson in the College Football Playoff national championship game.

This will be the first time in history that the other team will be playing in the opposite Death Valley. Of course, this has now led to some back between the two head coaches.

“We’ve got an incredible challenge, one we’re excited about,” Kelly initally said last week in Atlanta during SEC Media Days. “One that we’re looking forward to. We still think we are THE Death Valley. They can use the name too. We’re letting them borrow it.”

While the two teams will play for bragging rights over the Death Valley moniker, the national audience will be keyed in on the quarterback matchup: Clemson’s Cade Klubnik vs. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.

It would come as no surprise to see both quarterbacks in the Heisman conversation this fall, and their efforts will be against each other to begin the season. Both had stellar campaigns for the respective squads in 2024, and all signs point toward similar success in 2025.

Clemson is an early favorite to win the matchup at home, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 56.5 points, meaning Vegas is predicting a high-scoring affair. Kickoff for the marquee matchups is set for Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET and will air live on ABC.

LSU will have an opportunity to defend their own Death Valley in 2026 when they host Clemson in Baton Rouge to kick off next year’s regular season. Both teams will likely undergo major changes — under center especially — by the time next season rolls around. What that will look like remains to be seen.