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Gameday Update: LSU slated to start Paul Mubenga at Clemson

Koon Headshotby: Bryce Koon08/30/25bryce_koon
NCAA Football: Louisiana State at Texas A&M
Oct 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; LSU Tigers offensive lineman Paul Mubenga (65) lines up during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies. The Aggies defeated the Tigers 38-23; at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images.

Based on warmups and backed up from fall camp intel, Paul Mubenga is set to start for LSU at left guard in the season opener. Coen Echols is listed as the backup, while DJ Chester is also an option at both center and guard.

The one thing Brian Kelly can guarantee is that there will be a rotation. In general, he supports trying to keep his players fresh. However, he particularly focused in on the offensive line in his press conference on Monday.

“You don’t need a static 22,” Kelly said of his starters. “There will be some positions where we have some rotation and I think it will be good for us. We look at different battles, like we’re going to play a number of defensive ends and defensive tackles because we’re going to be better because of it. The same will be true on the offensive line. You’re going to see more than just five guys out there, you’re going to see at least six or seven, could be even as many as eight offensive linemen.”

After having incredible continuity the past two seasons, Kelly and his offensive line coach Brad Davis appear open to anything to get the most out of this unit against a talented Clemson front.

It will be a Top 10 matchup when LSU faces Clemson in the season-opener. LSU enters at No. 9, while Clemson is No. 4. The LSU-Clemson contest will mark the first time in school history the Tigers will open the season in a Top 10 matchup for a true road game. LSU’s other two Top 10 season-opening matchups came at neutral sites No. 3 Oregon (Arlington, Texas) and No. 8 Florida State (Orlando, Fla.).

In addition to Clemson, six other teams on LSU’s 2025 schedule earned a ranking in the Top 25, a list topped by Alabama at No. 8 followed by South Carolina at No. 13, Florida at No. 15, Oklahoma at No. 18, Texas A&M at No. 19 at, and Ole Miss at No. 21. South Carolina, Florida and Texas A&M all come to Tiger Stadium this year. While the Tigers will end their season on the road at Oklahoma. The AP Poll features ten SEC teams with Texas leading the way at No. 1 followed by Georgia at No. 5. Tennessee at No. 24 rounds out the remaining SEC teams in Top 25.

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