Paul Finebaum: 'No question' LSU is national championship contender after Week 1

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum said LSU is a national championship contender “no question” after Week 1, following Lane Kiffin’s Tigers’ 51-10 rout of visiting Clemson in Death Valley. Finebaum, who had criticized Kiffin during a turbulent week in Baton Rouge that included court-related developments, praised LSU on ESPN’s SportsCenter Sunday morning. The win featured a strong debut for Kiffin’s system and dual-threat quarterback Sam Leavitt, who totaled 343 yards and three touchdowns, with LSU leading 31-3 at halftime. Finebaum noted Clemson appears “middling” and referenced future tests versus Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Alabama. He also pointed to LSU’s legal dispute with the SEC over whether certain former Ole Miss transfers—Zxavian Harris and Dae’Quan Wright—would be rostered for Saturday.