The LSU Tigers started the 2024 college football season with a 6-1 record, and they were on track to be a potential playoff team. However, things went south for them after that.
They finished with an 8-4 overall record in the regular season, and they had a 5-3 record in SEC Conference play. LSU defeated the Baylor Bears in the Texas Bowl 44-31 and the Tigers won nine total games. Things will have to be different for LSU in 2025. The Tigers will need to make the playoffs in college football, or it could spell the end of Brian Kelly as head coach.
CBS Sports Has the LSU Tigers Ranked As the Second Best SEC Team After Spring Football
Will Backus of CBS Sports ranked the 16 SEC teams in order after spring football. To no surprise, he had the Texas Longhorns ranked number one overall. However, Backus had the Tigers ranked second on his list ahead of the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Backus said about LSU being ranked second,
“Is this the year LSU finally breaks through under coach Brian Kelly? The Tigers have had a Heisman Trophy winner and consistent 10-win seasons over the past few years but no championships or playoff appearances to show for it. So Kelly and his staff went all in this offseason, collecting the top class in 247Sports’ Transfer Rankings while convincing several impact players to run it back. That includes quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who could have been a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The defense is going to have to be way better if LSU wants to reach its lofty goals. (+950).”
During the 2024 college football season, Nussmeier completed 64.2% of his passes for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He could be one of the top quarterbacks in college football in 2025. Nussmeier had some hot and cold games in 2024.
If LSU makes the playoffs, it probably would not be a surprise because of the talent on the roster. What was not good for the Tigers last season was losing top recruits to the team for 2025, especially quarterback Bryce Underwood who is a five-star recruit. He decided to stay home and go to the Michigan Wolverines instead.
Because of that, Kelly is going to be under a lot of pressure to win and get to the playoffs in 2025 with LSU. If they don’t perform well, he will be fired and the Tigers will be another major disappointment in college football, and this is why being ranked second in the SEC at this point after spring ball is shocking also.
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