Greg McElroy predicts Garrett Nussmeier will throw two interceptions in a loss to Clemson

There may not be a better quarterback matchup in the sport of college football this season than Clemson‘s Cade Klubnik vs. LSU‘s Garrett Nussmeier. It will go down in both teams’ season-opening blockbuster matchup this Saturday night.

Nussmeier excelled last season in his first year as LSU‘s starter, as he passed for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He has a big opportunity ahead of him this weekend to really make his mark on the college football landscape, but ESPN‘s Greg McElroy doesn’t quite see that happening.

“Garrett Nussmeier throws two-plus interceptions,” McElroy said on Thursday morning’s edition of ‘Get Up.’ “I look at this offensive line for the LSU Tigers, I think they’re going to struggle against an elite defensive front for Clemson. We’ve seen in the past, Garrett Nussmeier in big moments will press. I also don’t know how committed to the run LSU will be to take the pressure off the passing game. So, he throws in traffic couple times, gets picked off a couple times. Clemson wins the game.”

As LSU‘s starter last season, Nussmeier played in three games against Top 25 competition (No. 9 Ole Miss, No. 11 Alabama and No. 14 Texas A&M). In those three such games, Nussmeier completed 74-of-143 passes for 981 yards, six touchdowns and seven interceptions. He threw at least two interceptions in all three marquee matchups and threw three in the game against Alabama. LSU went 1-2 in those games last season.

Paul Finebaum takes Klubnik over Nussmeier

“That is fact,” ESPN‘s Paul Finebaum responded when asked if Klubnik is better than Nussmeier earlier this month. “We’re splitting hairs here because these are the two best quarterbacks in the country. Nussmeier is the son of a coach and he is well prepared. But I like Klubnik better in the clutch. I saw Nussmeier make too many mistakes under pressure and do too much. And I know the panel there has seen this movie too many times.”

The season opener will be massive for both teams and quarterbacks, as the winner will likely be heralded as the best quarterback in football and will open the season with a 1-0 record. The loser, however, will open the season with an 0-1 record, a feat that LSU has fallen victim to in five consecutive seasons dating back to 2020.

No. 4 Clemson and No. 9 LSU ring in the 2025 college football season on Aug. 30 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, SC. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.