LSU is a program that expects to win national championships. The last three head coaches to [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] all won a ring. It’s a key reason Kelly took this job.
But year three hasn’t gone to plan for Kelly and LSU. The Tigers were in the College Football Playoff hunt at 6-1, but a three-game losing streak killed those hopes.
LSU got back in the win column against Vanderbilt last week and now needs a win over Oklahoma to finish 8-4.
LSU got down early last week and the student section began chanting, “Fire Brian Kelly.”
The chants cooled as LSU took control of the game, but the pressure is still on in Baton Rouge.
It begs the question: How much does Kelly need to beat Oklahoma?
Momentum is already shot heading into the offseason, but a loss to close the regular season would let even more air out of the balloon.
As far as the immediate future goes, I don’t think Kelly’s job is in jeopardy entering the Oklahoma game. LSU could lose 50-0 and Kelly would begin 2025 as LSU’s head coach.
And if a loss wouldn’t do Kelly in, I’m not sure this one matters at all from a job security standpoint. Win or lose, Kelly gets 2025 to prove he’s the man for the job.
LSU could steamroll the Sooners but struggles in 2025 would make it mute. On the flipside, LSU could drop the OU game, but get off to a 7-0 start next year and everyone would forget how this year ended.
It does matter from a narrative standpoint.
LSU’s 2025 recruiting class is taking hits with three blue-chip decommitments in the last two weeks and more are expected.
LSU needs to stop the bleeding and create some excitement heading into National Signing Day and the bowl game.
It’s going to be a long offseason if LSU loses this one, but Kelly’s job is not on the line tomorrow.