3 Reasons Clemson's Death Valley is the Real Death Valley

Both teams that are participating in the 2019-20 National Championship, Ed Orgeron's LSU Tigers and Dabo Swinney's Clemson Tigers, claim that their respective home stadiums are the true holders of the "Death Valley" nickname and that the other is merely coasting off of their former's popularity. As much as SEC country, specifically the entire state of Louisiana, doesn't want to hear this, it's pretty clear the Clemson has a more legit claim to the Death Valley moniker when you do a little digging.

3. It Was Called "Death Valley" Before LSU's Stadium

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney / Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Clemson's home stadium picked up the moniker in the 1940s, after the Presbyterian University coached referred to Clemson as "Death Valley" because the Blue Hose never won there. LSU started using the moniker mockingly in 1959, after they beat Clemson in the Sugar Bowl. If we're going back to the very root of the matter to see who had it first, Clemson has a clear and obvious claim to the Death Valley name.

2. Clemson Fans Are Louder

Clemson fans / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Noise doesn't necessarily equate to passion, but it can go some way towards creating a hostile environment to play in. Clemson fans were the loudest in football over the course of this past season, as they reached an astounding 132 decibels at one point, which is the equivalent of a military fighter jet taking off from 50 feet away. That is slightly higher than LSU's best of 129. Clemson has the loudest, rowdiest fans in the country, and that gives them an edge over LSU in the Death Valley battle.

1. They've Done More Winning There Lately

Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence / Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Over the last decade of football, LSU ranked eighth across the country in winning percentage, which is no small feat. However, Dabo Swinney and Clemson have managed to top that, as they were third in winning percentage from 2010-2019, trailing only Alabama and Ohio State. "Death Valley" is a name that implies that this home stadium is the most difficult to play in across the country, and with a better home and overall winning percentage, Clemson once again has beat out LSU.