🏈 Can Brian Kelly Fix LSU This Season?

[RTB X Bot]

Expectations were through the roof at LSU during the offseason. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was a legitimate candidate to win the Heisman Trophy, and the Tigers had done well in the transfer portal. They looked poised to make a run for both the SEC and National Championships.

Fast forward to the last week of September and there are realistic concerns that this season has the potential of derailment. And that is because the offense for No. 13 LSU (4-1) has yet to materialize despite Nussmeier and the portal additions.

While the Tigers average 27.0 points per game, those numbers are much more troubling against FBS and P4 opposition. Against four FBS opponents the offense is averaging 19.7 points and against three P4 opponents, the average is 18.8 points.

So, what is wrong with the LSU offense and can head coach Brian Kelly figure it out before the losses mount? There are three remaining games, all at home, that should be victories. Those are against South Carolina (3-2), Arkansas (2-3) and Western Kentucky (4-1). However, the other four is when the Tigers will need a more proficient offense if they don’t want the fanbase to revolt.

At home the Tigers play No. 6 Texas A&M (4-0), while there are road trips to No. 16 Vanderbilt (5-0), No. 10 Alabama (3-1) and No. 5 Oklahoma (4-0). LSU fans have good reason to panic, and part of the reason is because this issue has lingered longer than just this season.

If you look back at 2024, the Tigers averaged 30.5 points. But once again, if you take a deeper dive, there were issues. If you take away games against Nicholls State and South Alabama, when the offense averaged 43.0 points, during the remainder of the regular season the Tigers averaged 26.6 points. During regular season games against P4 opponents the Tigers didn’t score more than 37 points once and scored less than 25 points four times.

This isn’t the Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson offense from 2019. It is far from it. And while the Tigers don’t need that level of domination, they need better than they have. Chip Kelly has failed in accomplishing that, which is why the Tigers will finish with another 9-3 type season.

While that is a huge success for many programs, in Baton Rouge it will just raise more doubts that Kelly is the right head coach.

 

[bama alum]

best of luck to kelly starting the third weekend of november!

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Didn’t read the article but can he isn’t the question, IMO. It’s will he? But I’m probably higher on Kelly as a HC than most. Anyway, fist step is gettig Nussmeier healthy. With their (lack of) running game, they need him to be as sharp as possible and get them more scoring chances. Their defense is good enough to win games with a little scoring help.

 

[bamatommy]

Kelly is overrated. He will never lead a team to the top of the mountain.

 

[TerryP]

Didn’t read the article but can he isn’t the question, IMO. It’s will he? But I’m probably higher on Kelly as a HC than most. Anyway, fist step is gettig Nussmeier healthy. With their (lack of) running game, they need him to be as sharp as possible and get them more scoring chances. Their defense is good enough to win games with a little scoring help.

https://atozsports.com/college-football/lsu-tigers-news/lsu-tigers-football-garrett-nussmeier-even-worse-than-most-fans-realize-one-big-reason-brian-kelly/

The preseason Heisman contender dealt with a torso injury before the season, and sure looks like he’s still dealing with it, but he has to throw all the time because LSU’s run game stinks. So he’s throwing quick passes (115th in air yards per attempt) but not completing a huge percentage (43rd in completion rate), and the ones he’s completing aren’t going anywhere (112th in yards per completion). LSU’s defense is finally excellent, but Nussmeier and the offense aren’t living up to their end of the bargain.

 

[alabama mike]

There are two glaring issues with the LSU offense:
1. Offensive line play
2. No running game.

With a bye week, CBK and his offensive staff can make some changes to the offensive run plays and blocking patterns. Will it help? Only games will determine that or not.

 

[TerryP]

But I’m probably higher on Kelly as a HC than most.

Is this confined to that box on the sidelines or does it extend to other areas? He loses me quickly behind a mic or in front of a camera.

I think he's a good coach. I also think his record at LSU is a little deceptive if you just look at the number of wins and losses. I took a closer look earlier today and found a lot of seven and eight win teams on his resume down there. But, every year, he pulls out that one ranked win. Last year it was the Ole Miss game (then a three game losing streak.) The year before that was when they lost to Kiffin in Oxford then went on the road and beat Mizzou (11 wins that season.) The year he took over they beat Bama and lost to every other team with a win total in the double digits.

I think we're back to where we were when he was announced as HC for LSU. Same question. Is he the right fit? I doubted it then; don't believe it now.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Is this confined to that box on the sidelines or does it extend to other areas? He loses me quickly behind a mic or in front of a camera.

I think he's a good coach. I also think his record at LSU is a little deceptive if you just look at the number of wins and losses. I took a closer look earlier today and found a lot of seven and eight win teams on his resume down there. But, every year, he pulls out that one ranked win. Last year it was the Ole Miss game (then a three game losing streak.) The year before that was when they lost to Kiffin in Oxford then went on the road and beat Mizzou (11 wins that season.) The year he took over they beat Bama and lost to every other team with a win total in the double digits.

I think we're back to where we were when he was announced as HC for LSU. Same question. Is he the right fit? I doubted it then; don't believe it now.

I don’t think he’s a good fit for there but I completely understand why he took the job. As far as the first part, I’m talking in terms of a head coach and guy in charge of the program. I guess being in front of a mic falls under that, but it’s not a branch on the tree I care much about. A lot of fans seem to think he’s a terrible coach though, and he ain’t that.

 

[TerryP]

A lot of fans seem to think he’s a terrible coach though, and he ain’t that.

Thinking about him ...

It's getting close to 20 years that I've known about him. Do you remember the deal with Dantonio getting fired at Central Michigan and instead of an interim they asked Kelly to take over immediately? He was undefeated that season: 1-0. It was a 10 win team the next season. Then 11. then 12. Then Notre Dame.

I didn't think he could get them over the hump until I saw it in '12. '13 made me wonder if I was right because he fell back to nine wins (several eight wins seasons starting off up there.)

He's proven.

 

[sean]

Can Brian Kelly Fix LSU This Season?

I hope not.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Come on. Hes just agood ole southern boy trying to make a living. Heard him talk before

 

[TerryP]

I’m talking in terms of a head coach and guy in charge of the program

Do you have any idea why he hasn't gone with Van Buren Jr., at least for a few series? He didn't look great at State last season but he wasn't awful. It was a bad team. I'm wondering if Lebby hid things and quietly pushed him out. Sloan seems good at his job with QB's.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Thinking about him ...

It's getting close to 20 years that I've known about him. Do you remember the deal with Dantonio getting fired at Central Michigan and instead of an interim they asked Kelly to take over immediately? He was undefeated that season: 1-0. It was a 10 win team the next season. Then 11. then 12. Then Notre Dame.

I didn't think he could get them over the hump until I saw it in '12. '13 made me wonder if I was right because he fell back to nine wins (several eight wins seasons starting off up there.)

He's proven.

I don't think he was fired was he? He just left to take over for Saban at MSU. And it was Cincy, but yes, I remember him there (it really doesn't feel as long ag as it actually was). Cincy has been one of those springboard jobs through the years... worked out for a couple, but not others (looking at you Fickell).

Do you have any idea why he hasn't gone with Van Buren Jr., at least for a few series? He didn't look great at State last season but he wasn't awful. It was a bad team. I'm wondering if Lebby hid things and quietly pushed him out. Sloan seems good at his job with QB's.

No idea. Best guess is, because he's an old school type coach, he's been expecting Nussmeier to play through his injury and manage things well enough for them to be able to win. Sorta like when the QB's under Saban had to load up on pain shots before kickoff and go out there and pretend all was well for 3.5 hours.

 

[TerryP]

I don't think he was fired was he? He just left to take over for Saban at MSU. And it was Cincy, but yes, I remember him there (it really doesn't feel as long ag as it actually was). Cincy has been one of those springboard jobs through the years... worked out for a couple, but not others (looking at you Fickell).

No shit on Fickell. He was my first thought when I read "it was Cincy." You are right on the timeline. Dantonio had caught my attention because of his time with Saban. One led to the other.

Earlier today I was thinking that Kelly gave me a Tressell vibe but also answered that thought with, "wrong guy, but close." Now you've mentioned Cincy I think it was more of the political vibes between the two.

 

[alabama mike]

I don’t think he’s a good fit for there but I completely understand why he took the job. As far as the first part, I’m talking in terms of a head coach and guy in charge of the program. I guess being in front of a mic falls under that, but it’s not a branch on the tree I care much about. A lot of fans seem to think he’s a terrible coach though, and he ain’t that.

He is from Mass. and coached Grand Valley St., in Michigan for a long time. He moved from there to C. Michigan, Cincinnati and then to the school in Indiana before going to LSU. He has had some very good teams over the years. He is a good coach but I agree with @Brandon Van de Graaff , I I do not think he is a great fit in B.R.

 

[24and7]

Not if he continues to come out and hurt his teams feelings... This is the NIL era..