LSU was supposed to be distracted. Instead, it looked unstoppable

From news to sports, we help you stay connected to the world around you. www.usatoday.com By Blake Toppmeyer , 13 hours ago BATON ROUGE, LA – We see drama. We hear noise. We witnessed the SEC and LSU go to war with one another. To hear LSU's players tell it, they didn't pay much attention to the battle. 'This team's not distracted at all,' LSU linebacker Whit Weeks said. You might have wondered in the run-up to this season opener how that could be true, but after No. 13 LSU dismantled No. 23 Clemson, 51-10, it's impossible to argue with Weeks. So, is the battle finished, or just on pause? Will LSU drop this idea of adding NFL castoffs to its roster, or will it keep pushing the envelope? Lane Kiffin wouldn't say. 'I'm not getting into it,' LSU's coach said after the game. 'This night was awesome for our fans, and that shouldn't be the storyline, but I appreciate the question.' Toppmeyer: Bad boy Lane Kiffin breaks Dabo Swinney, as LSU's villain rises in Clemson rout Hayes: Every time you buy into Oregon, Dan Lanning gives you a reason not to Kiffin more greatly appreciated that his team trounced Clemson. Kiffin's idea for an NFL-to-LSU transfer portal became fodder for a court case here, and the SEC then filed a countersuit in federal court. If LSU had lost this game, Kiffin knows what the narrative would've been: That his actions resulted in his team being too distracted to handle little ol' Clemson. Instead, the story became LSU's rout and Dabo Swinney's program going belly up. 'I was trying to say it during the week, I don't think that does anything to' distract the players,' Kiffin said, but 'I'm glad we played well, because otherwise it would've been the whole story.' Kiffin magnetizes attention and drama, and yet for a full calendar year, his teams seem immune to any adverse effects. If anything, Kiffin and his players seem to feed off of it. A year ago, while Kiffin coached Mississippi, his Rebels won five straight while their coach flirted with multiple suitors and braced for a fight with his bosses about whether he could accept a new job and still coach his old team in the playoff. All that fuss would've derailed a different team. Ole Miss grew stronger amid the noise. New team, same result. More drama begets a blowout win. How does Kiffin churn out wins amid the fury? 'I think it's overrated,' Kiffin said, of the effects of the theater unfolding outside of a program. 'I'm not saying I do a great job of controlling it. I just, I think it's overrated.' He makes no effort to tamp it down, either. At halftime of this rout, Kiffin quipped during a televised interview with ABC: 'Imagine if we had pro players." He couldn't resist making the joke. 'There you go. You got another line,' Kiffin said. Another quip, and another win, for a coach who's 12-1 since the start of last season despite stirring up as much attention, hijinks and blowback as he ever has in a career filled with attention, hijinks and blowback. 'Nobody talks about the noise going on outside this building,' Weeks said. We would've found that quote preposterous if the score had been flipped, but after LSU outgained its opponent by nearly 500 yards, it's hard to dispute it. 'We really have done an incredible job of blocking it out,' said transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt, who put on a show in his first start with LSU. 'It's really not even been a thought process in the building. … We come to work, we put our heads down, and we grind.' It wasn't always this tidy for Kiffin. Two years ago, Ole Miss wilted in losses to Kentucky and Florida, squandering a roster with playoff capabilities. The Rebels lost four straight games to end the 2022 season, while Kiffin seriously debated leaving for the Auburn job. Since the start of last year, though, Kiffin turned into Teflon. The drama associated with him just sort of slides off his teams' backs. LSU turned the ball over on the second play of the game. Clemson converted the takeaway into a field goal. Upset alert? Get real. LSU put the knockout punch on Clemson's kisser before the first quarter even ended. 'You go on a 51-0 run,' Kiffin said. How's that for drama? Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's senior national college football columnist. Listen to his podcast, "College Football Unfiltered." Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LSU was supposed to be distracted. Instead, it looked unstoppable | Opinion partner publisher · 2.0M followers Texas Attorney General and U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton is reacting to President Donald Trump's criticism of the way he dresses. Paxton brushed off Trump's wardrobe critique during a Sept. 3 appearance on Fox News, saying Texas is 'a relatively casual place' and pointing to the Lone Star State's summer heat. 'I've got my sports jacket on. I love it. Texas is a relatively casual place in the summer, and it's hot. We adjust. We wear cowboy boots, and we wear a blazer, and we're all good,' Paxton said. Ken Paxton responds to Trump trashing his clothes: I've got my sports jacket on, I love it. Texas is a rather casual place in the summer and it's hot. We adjust. Wear cowboy boots, a blazer, and we're good. pic.twitter.com/9uaVglIOGF — Acyn (@Acyn) September 3, 2026 Trump says Paxton's suit 'doesn't look so great' Trump criticized Paxton's appearance during a Rose Garden dinner at the White House on Sept. 2, while also praising his record as Texas attorney general. 'And I say this, it's so insulting to him, but I might as well say it. You might not like the way he looks, you might not love his look, you might partner publisher · 2.0M followers Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect amendments made to Swinney's Clemson contract. Clemson football was embarrassed on national TV in Week 1 of the college football season as LSU absolutely demolished it, 51-10, in Lane Kiffin's debut . After the game, Kiffin told ABC his scout team scored as many points on LSU as Clemson did. 'It was about the same score,' Kiffin said. REQUIRED READING: Dabo Swinney: 'It's over.' He could be talking about his Clemson career | Opinion Woof. Clemson entered the season ranked No. 23 in the US LBM Coaches Poll , but it will be a while before we see a number next to the Tigers' name. Swinney's team, fresh off a 7-6 season, is looking at another long year ahead of it after the worst loss of his career. While the Tigers might not face another team the caliber of LSU this season, there are plenty more tests ahead on the schedule, including a suddenly staunch defensive team in North Carolina ; defending national runner-up Miami ; a reinvigorated Virginia Tech , under the new leadership of James Franklin; and the always-dangerous rivalry with South Carolina . With that in mind — partner publisher · 2.0M followers The heartbreaking trial of Lindsay Clancy , which sparked debates about women's health and the judicial system, has ended in a mistrial , starting what will likely be a running conversation about what happens next. Before that, it's worth taking a look at how we got here. Clancy, a mother of three, strangled her three children while dealing with postpartum depression. She pleaded not guilty as her defense claimed that a postpartum psychosis event meant she was not criminally responsible . The entire story is heartbreaking, but unfortunately, not everyone seems to be sad for the right reasons. Social media has been flooded with posts from supporters of Clancy's, who either claim she needed help , that this is somehow her now ex-husband's fault or merely the crowds of supporters cheering for her as she arrives at the courthouse. This type of rhetoric wasn't unforeseeable. America has been succumbing to a culture devaluing life for quite some time, and the fact that the lives lost in this tragedy often amount to a footnote in discussions is just more evidence of that fact. Another view: Clancy mistrial distracts from moms who actually deserve empathy | Opinion Lindsay Clancy's supporters diminish the partner publisher · 2.0M followers When you think of a Florida vacation, do images of theme parks or overly packed beaches come to mind? Not me. When I imagine a prime vacation in the Sunshine State, my mind immediately goes to Florida's luxury resorts, where beachside charm and historic hotels offer a host of amenities to travelers looking to slow down and live the quintessential Florida lifestyle. From adorable boutique resorts that offer a taste of Central Florida to beachside escapes up and down the coast, the best luxury resorts in Florida offer something for every type of traveler, from those going solo, traveling with friends, a couple's getaway , and even families with kids in tow. SUNSHINE STATE: The most dreamy Florida beach resorts for families Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Miami Beach Right in the heart of Miami Beach's Art Deco District is the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach . The oceanfront resort offers everything from a fantastic spa and dining by José Andrés Group to beach service and curated experiences for families (hello, culinary tours of Little Havana and private adventures through the Everglades). And after a day of fun, you can rest your head in one of the spacious accommodations, which feature marble bathrooms with partner publisher · 2.0M followers Team USA opened its 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup campaign with a commanding victory against China. The Americans asserted their dominance on both ends of the court as they began their quest for a fifth consecutive gold medal. Team USA cruised to a 94-61 victory over China, overcoming what was expected to be one of its toughest group-stage matchups in Germany. Four Team USA players scored in double figures. Caitlin Clark led the way with a double-double, recording 14 points and 11 assists. Rhyne Howard and Paige Bueckers also scored 14 points, and every member of Team USA contributed to the scoresheet. The United States will shift its focus to the next Group D matchup, facing Italy on Sunday, Sept. 6. The Americans will then wrap up group-stage play against Czechia on Monday, Sept. 7. More: Team USA drops China to open FIBA Women's World Cup: Highlights, score When does Team USA play next at the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup? The United States continues its Group D play against Italy on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 2:45 p.m. ET. Team USA then will quickly turn around to face Czechia in its final group stage contest on Monday, Sept. 7, also partner publisher · 2.0M followers The U.S. women are starting the road to the Los Angeles Olympics in a tough spot. The Americans drew the first subdivision in qualifying , where scores tend to be the lowest, at the upcoming world gymnastics championships. They also finish their Oct. 18 qualifying session on balance beam, the event where nerves are most likely to be a factor. This doesn't mean the U.S. women can't make the podium, where the top three teams automatically qualify for LA28. Scores start over after qualifying, and the Americans have won every team title going back to the 2011 world championships. They also could be bringing two Olympic gold medalists in Hezly Rivera and Jade Carey , with the worlds team to be named after a selection camp Sept. 30-Oct. 1. But with scores typically rising as qualifying goes on, being in the first subdivision could affect where the U.S. women start in the team final and how many U.S. women make event finals. Russia, expected to be the Americans' biggest competition for gold, is in the eighth of 10 subdivisions at its first worlds with a full team since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Olympic silver medalist Italy is in partner publisher · 2.0M followers A key five-star prospect and a third-teamer on USA TODAY Sports preseason All-America team was ejected Friday night, Sept. 4. Seneca Driver, who is off to a tear this season with six receiving touchdowns and a pick on the defensive side, was ejected from Boyle County's Week 3 clash against Lexington Catholic. According to reporting from Prep Redzone KY's Barkley Truax, Driver was tossed from the game after his second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty midway through the second quarter. Development: Five-star TE and Oklahoma football commit Seneca Driver has been thrown out of the football game. — Barkley Truax (@BarkleyTruax) September 5, 2026 The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Driver was coming off a breakout junior season in which he contributed as a receiver, short-yardage running back, and defensive playmaker. He helped lead Boyle County to a Class 4A state championship in 2025 and was named the championship game's MVP. He finished with 875 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, adding three rushing scores, 67 tackles, 3 sacks, and 5 interceptions in 15 games. Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @NP_AlexMartin or via email: amartin@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and partner publisher · 2.0M followers Please take care as you read, as this article mentions suicide and other forms of trauma. If you need help, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline . September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month . Black soot coated the hallway's linoleum tiles, so thick Susan Lukas could see her footprints. Her throat burned as she climbed the stairs to her office. Hot, stinging tears rimmed her eyes. When she got there, a layer of dust and debris blanketed her desk. She wiped it away, sat down and began to work. By lunchtime, her head throbbed. On the opposite side of the Pentagon, emergency responders searched through rubble for victims. They fought jet fuel-flamed infernos smoldering along the building's roof. During her drive in along Interstate 395 on Sept. 12, Lukas caught an unwanted glimpse of the site where American Airlines Flight 77 had struck the Pentagon the day before, killing all 64 people onboard and 125 inside. She tried to push the image out of her mind – tried not to remember the feeling of the plane's impact, the uncannily quiet evacuation and the dazed woman in the parking deck. Speaking at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, Defense partner publisher · 2.0M followers Larry Fitzgerald made just two trips to Lambeau Field during his Hall of Fame career with the Arizona Cardinals. His latest visit to the home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers, however, comes in a much different role: dad. The former NFL star was spotted on the field before Sunday's Shamrock Series matchup between No. 5 Notre Dame and Wisconsin , chatting with comedian and Fighting Irish fan Shane Gillis as Fitzgerald prepared to watch his son's collegiate debut. Fitzgerald's son, Devin, is a freshman wide receiver on Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame squad. Notre Dame vs Wisconsin live updates: Score, highlights for Shamrock Series The Fighting Irish, led by quarterback and preseason Heisman Trophy betting favorite CJ Carr, are looking to make it back to the College Football Playoff after being omitted from the 12-team field last season. Notre Dame made it all the way to the national championship against Ohio State in the 2024-25 CFP. Notre Dame and Wisconsin are set for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday at Lambeau Field. Here's more: Why is Larry Fitzgerald at Notre Dame-Wisconsin game? Fitzgerald is in attendance for Sunday's Notre Dame-Wisconsin game to watch his son, Notre Dame freshman wide