The LSU Tigers started with a 6-1 record in 2024. A lot of things looked promising for the program, and it appeared as if they were going to be heading to the college football playoffs.
However, things spiraled out of control late in the season for the Tigers and they missed the playoffs. With LSU spiraling down the stretch, they lost key recruits to other schools including number one recruit quarterback Bryce Underwood to the Michigan Wolverines. LSU is no doubt going to be under pressure to make the college football playoffs in year four under head coach Brian Kelly. If they miss the playoffs, well some uncomfortable conversations will have to be had about his future with the football program.
College Football Analyst Has LSU Tigers Head Coach Brian Kelly On the Hot Seat Entering the 2025 College Football Season
Joel Klatt of Foxsports.com listed different categories of which head coaches are under the most pressure to perform in 2025. Well, there is no doubt that he listed LSU’s head coach as one of the coaches who has to perform this year. Kelly is in the “it’s time” category.
“It’s already Year 4 for Kelly in Baton Rouge. Remember when he debuted that accent? Or that video of him dancing with a recruit?
Anyway, Kelly had two 10-win seasons to go with a nine-win year during his time at LSU. That sounds good on paper, but the expectations are higher for that program. Every LSU coach this century has won a national title. That’s why Kelly went to LSU, not to build South Bend South.
The pressure point for Kelly and LSU is right away: Week 1 at Clemson. That’s the moment for Kelly. He can’t lose that game, and I actually think Clemson is a little better than LSU. So, now we’re expecting him to beat a slightly superior team on the road against a title-winning coach, along with an accomplished quarterback in Cade Klubnik.
After Week 1, LSU still has games against Florida, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Alabama and Oklahoma. So, if LSU loses at Clemson, winning each of those games becomes more paramount for the Tigers if they’re looking to make the CFP. They’d have to go 6-2, at minimum, in those games to finish 9-3. If LSU wins that game, it could have a victory over the eventual ACC champion on the road for itsrésumé. That could end up being massive down the line. “
Over the last couple of years, LSU has had some interesting Week 1 losses. This year, the Tigers will need to win a pivotal Week 1 game on the road against Clemson. Clemson is going to be in the conversation to potentially win the national championship in 2025. LSU has to win in Week 1 on the road because if not, there will be a lot of pressure on them to win other key games in SEC Conference play.
If they miss the playoffs in 2025, there is a possibility that the Tigers may decide to move on from Kelly as head coach. What will help LSU in 2025 is that quarterback Garrett Nussmeier returns to the program. He will be one of the best quarterbacks in the country no doubt. Kelly must have his team ready out of the gates to begin the 2025 college football season or there will be major questions about his football program.
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