Tag: LSU

Brian Kelly’s streak of 10-win seasons ends with LSU loss to Florida

Now who’s laughing?

While Notre Dame is fighting to stay in the College Football Playoff conversation, that dream already was dead for Brian Kelly and LSU. They still could get into a decent bowl game though if they ran the table for the rest of the regular season. That won’t even happen now.

The Tigers suffered a 27-16 loss to a Florida team simply trying to get back to .500. That brought their losing streak to three, and they most certainly will drop out of the rankings now. There’s even more to this though.

With this loss, Kelly’s personal streak of seven 10-win seasons will come to an end. The last time Kelly failed to earn that distinction was during the Irish’s dreadful 2016 season in which they finished 4-8.

Kelly’s decision to bolt for Baton Rogue is looking more foolish all the time. This is the second time in three years Kelly has lost four games with the Tigers, something he didn’t do once over his final five seasons with the Irish. Does he still think he put himself in a better position to win a national championship?

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Three reasons LSU will get back on track vs. Florida

Here’s why LSU fans should be confident about the Tigers bouncing back this week

LSU needs a win. Thanks to a bye week and two losses, LSU’s last win was almost a month ago. It was a 34-10 victory vs. Arkansas that came one week after upsetting a top-10-ranked Ole Miss squad. Things were trending up for a one-loss LSU squad.

A month later, the mood is different. A flat second half vs. Texas A&M followed by a 42-13 drubbing from Alabama has LSU needing to win out to match its win total from last year.

“No one is in a good mood,” Brian Kelly said, “The food doesn’t taste good. No one likes being around each other right now.”

That’s what a 42-13 loss can do to a team, especially one with LSU’s expectations. But Kelly acknowledged the SEC is still in play and the team knows it. A bad mood doesn’t mean morale is shot and Kelly said he liked the group’s preparation this week.

Here’s why LSU fans should be confident in a rebound vs. Florida.

They’ve been here before

LSU was in a similar spot last year. After the Alabama loss, the Tigers were out of the SEC race and playoff conversation. But three games were left on the schedule and LSU had to find something else to play for.

Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers set their sights on the Heisman and breaking records while Kelly said the team took pride in getting to 10 wins.

A core of this team was present for that last year and Kelly is a veteran coach. LSU doesn’t have the cheat code that was Daniels this year, but LSU has enough veteran leadership. Over the summer, Kelly said this was his most player-led team yet.

I don’t see LSU coming out flat and that aforementioned leadership shows up.

Florida gives Nussmeier a bounce back opportunity

LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier hit a rough patch coming out of the half vs. Texas A&M The stretch continued into the Alabama game. Nuss struggled to complete passes and the interception issues persisted.

Kelly said Nussmeier was locked in at practice this week, hinting at a big performance from his QB.

Florida offers a reprieve from the stingy defenses LSU’s seen in recent weeks. The Ole Miss and Alabama defenses are among the best in the country and A&M isn’t that far behind. According to SP+, this is the LSU offense’s most favorable matchup since South Alabama on Sep. 28.

LSU usually responds well after a loss

Under Brian Kelly, LSU has a habit of responding to losses. Kelly is 7-2 coming off a loss with an average scoring margin of +19.7

One of those losses came last week, but I don’t see LSU dropping three in a row. There just isn’t much evidence saying LSU is about to hit a wall or fall off a cliff. LSU usually takes care of business against lesser teams, and at this point, UF remains in that category.

Kelly is 6-2 as an away favorite at LSU and I think the Tigers are prepared for the environment.

Najee Harris compares Steelers-Ravens rivalry to Alabama-LSU

Najee Harris compares the Steelers-Ravens rivalry to his Alabama days battling Joe Burrow’s LSU, highlighting the physicality of Week 11.

Najee Harris, currently outperforming expectations during his contract year, is the heart and soul of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ impressive rushing attack in 2024, averaging 4.1 yards per carry, on 157 rushing attempts for 645 yards through nine games.

During Thursday’s media availability, Harris explained that he expects physicality to play a pivotal role in the Week 11 matchup against the Steelers’ AFC North rivals, the Baltimore Ravens.

When asked what the rivalry between the Steelers and Ravens means to him, Harris took trip down memory lane, explaining that it reminds him of his college days at Alabama, going head-to-head with the Joe Burrow-led LSU.

The Steelers’ RB has an opportunity to showcase his team’s desire to further solidify their place in the AFC North divisional title race, and Harris’ physical, downhill running style could be exactly what the team needs to walk away victorious in Week 11.

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Paul Skenes announced as finalist for NL Cy Young and Rookie of the Year

Former LSU star Paul Skenes is a finalist for some major awards

Recognition is rolling in for [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] after his stellar rookie campaign. The former LSU star flew through the Pirates minor league system to make his debut in May, less than a year after being drafted.

On Wednesday, the MLB announced Skenes as a finalist for the 2024 National League Cy Young Award and the National League Rookie of the Year award.

Skenes racked up 170 strikeouts and posted a 1.96 ERA in 2024. Those numbers were among the best in the NL.

Expectations were sky-high. Skenes’ arrival was the most anticipated starting pitcher debut since Stephen Strasburg over a decade ago. Skenes didn’t just meet expectations — he blew by them.

Skenes spent just a year at LSU, but led the Tigers to a College World Series championship in 2023.

With only 133 innings, Skenes isn’t considered the favorite for the Cy Young but is nearly a lock for Rookie of the Year.

WHERE SKENES FINISHED AMONG NL PITCHERS

Statistic Ranking Among NL Pitchers (130+ innings)
ERA 1st 1st
FIP 2nd 2nd
K/BB% 1st 1st
Opponent AVG 5th 5th
Ground Ball Rate 5th 5th
Soft Contact Rate 8th 8th

SEC wallops LSU, Ole Miss with six-figure fines for fan misbehavior

Ole Miss and LSU were hit with big fines by the SEC for fan misbehavior

One school won, the other lost. Both will have lighter bank accounts.

The SEC announced on Monday that it is fining LSU and Ole Miss for actions of the home fans during their respective games in Week 11 against Alabama and Georgia.

LSU lost to Alabama, 43-13, leading to fans acting out.

That will cost the school $250,000.

Per the SEC:

Due to LSU fans throwing debris onto the field during its game versus Alabama, under the sportsmanship, game management and alcohol availability policies established by the Southeastern Conference, Louisiana State University will:

  • Be assessed financial penalty of $250,000;
  • Be required to use all available resources, including security, stadium and television video, to identify individuals who threw objects onto the playing field or at the opposing team. All individuals identified as having been involved in disrupting the game shall be prohibited from attending LSU Athletics events for the remainder of the 2024-25 academic and athletic year;
  • Review and update its Athletics Department game management procedures and alcohol availability policies to prevent a recurrence of Saturday night’s disruption, which shall include an evaluation of agreed upon SEC Sportsmanship, Game Management and Alcohol policies to verify full compliance with existing standards, and
  • Following completion of this review, the University shall provide a report to the Conference Office to summarize its efforts to identify and penalize offenders and its plan to enact policies to prevent future similar incidents while ensuring compliance with Conference standards.

As for Ole Miss, the price for celebrating on the field after the win over Georgia will be $350,000.

Ole Miss will incur a fine of $250,000 for a second offense of the league’s current access to competition area policy when fans entered the field after the Rebels’ game versus Georgia.

Ole Miss’ first offense under the current policy occurred when fans entered the field following a Rebel football victory over LSU in September 2023. In addition, Ole Miss will incur an additional fine of $100,000 due to fans entering the field prior to the end of the Georgia game.

 

LSU basketball comes from behind to remain unbeaten vs. Alabama State

LSU men’s basketball remains unbeaten with a dominant close out vs. Alabama State

LSU men’s basketball is off to a 2-0 start after overcoming early struggles to beat Alabama State on Saturday.

LSU had just 26 points at the half and trailed by six. LSU began to wake up out of the half but dominated over the final ten minutes — outscoring Alabama State 30-13 in that span.

The final was 74-61.

Leading the way for LSU was Cam Carter with 21 points. Dji Bailey and Jordan Sears had solid nights too, combining for 33 points.

Carter gave LSU what it needed from behind the arch, going 4/5 from long range. Bailey showed up throughout the stat sheet, adding seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal.

With a couple of tough nonconference games on the horizon, LSU couldn’t afford to lose this one. You can’t make the NCAA Tournament early in the year but bad nonconference losses can knock you out of it. LSU has a chance to be a bubble team and needs all it can to look good on the margins.

LSU showed improvement under Matt McMahon in his second year and McMahon is hoping year three can be an a bigger step.

Next up for LSU is a contest at Kansas State on Thursday. If LSU was to go on the road an win, it would be a sign of undeniable progress for McMahon and company.

This weekend culminates Ultimate Hate Week for Louisiana sports fans

It’s the Ultimate Hate Week is upon us. Saints vs. Falcons and LSU vs. Alabama on back to back nights in New Orleans and Baton Rouge

It’s the Ultimate Hate Week for the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans Saints face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. That’s always big for Saints fans, and moving from Dennis Allen to Darren Rizzi has reinvigorated the fan base.

The weekend ends in New Orleans, but it begins just an hour away in Baton Rouge. LSU takes on Alabama in Death Valley on Saturday night. Each event takes over the city individually, but when you pair both of them together it truly is a state wide affair.

It’s not the first time the biggest teams in the state have taken on their biggest rivals in the same weekend. LSU versus Alabama happens in the first two weeks of November every year except in 2020.

That was a part of three year stretch between 2019-2021 where these game were played on the same weekend. This Saturday and Sunday will be the first time since 2021 Louisiana will be able to partake in Ultimate Hate Week.

This is the first time this century Saints versus Falcons and LSU versus Alabama have happened in the same weekend and both games will be played in Louisiana. Let’s make it count.

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Kickoff time for LSU’s week 12 meeting with Florida announced

The kickoff time for LSU’s week 12 meeting with Florida was unveiled on Monday

The kickoff time for LSU football’s final road game of the year was unveiled on Monday. LSU’s week 12 meeting with the Florida Gators on Nov. 16 will get underway at 2:30 PM CT.

The game will be broadcast on ABC, a spot LSU is getting familiar with. Playing at Florida is never easy, but LSU should be pleased with avoiding a primetime kickoff.

The Gators are in the midst of a brutal stretch on their schedule. Florida played Georgia last week and has Texas this week. A game against LSU brings yet another meeting with a ranked conference opponent.

LSU will look to keep its winning streak vs. Florida alive. The Tigers have won five straight, last dropping one to the Gators in 2018.

We don’t know what the stakes will be yet. If LSU beats Alabama on Saturday, Brian Kelly’s group will be fighting for a playoff spot down the stretch. If LSU loses, the Tigers might have to find something else to play for.

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Should LSU be worried about 2025 recruit flipping to South Carolina?

Should LSU be concerned about three-star tight end Mike Tyler potentially flipping to South Carolina?

It’s flip season in college football. With signing day nearing, programs are making their last pushes with recruits.

LSU’s 2025 class is a good one, but the Tigers aren’t immune to the nature of recruiting. Brian Kelly and staff will have to work to keep the entire class together.

One prospect on flip watch is tight end Mike Tyler. The three-star from South Carolina is receiving heavy interest from the home-state Gamecocks and was in Colombia for South Carolina’s win over Texas A&M.

Tyler committed to LSU in August with the Tigers beating out South Carolina on the first go-round. But recent reports indicate South Carolina has the momentum.

LSU’s done well recruiting tight ends in the Brian Kelly era. The Tigers have several blue chips on the roster and are hoping to add more in the 2025 class. If LSU does lose Tyler, the class remains in a good spot with John David LaFleur on board.

Tyler remains committed to LSU for now, but this is one to watch down the stretch.

According to On3, LSU’s 2025 class ranks No. 3 nationally. The headliner is five-star QB Bryce Underwood — another recruitment where LSU is trying to fend off a late push from a home-state school.

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Wisconsin gets rematch with SEC foe in ESPN bowl projections after Week 9

Wisconsin gets rematch with SEC foe in ESPN bowl projections after Week 9

Wisconsin meets the LSU Tigers in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl in ESPN’s latest bowl projections after Week 9.

The Badgers are 5-3 through eight games — just one win away from bowl eligibility. They have four remaining games to reach that six-win mark, though the team is currently trending negatively after a 28-13 loss to Penn State in Week 9.

Related: Updated game-by-game predictions for Wisconsin football after loss to Penn State

LSU, meanwhile, is 6-2 on the season after a 38-23 loss to Texas A&M in Week 9. The Tigers remain ranked No. 16 in the AP Poll despite the recent defeat.

Wisconsin and LSU met in the ReliaQuest Bowl to close the 2023 season. LSU won 35-31 thanks to a 395-yard, 3-touchdown day from QB Garrett Nussmeier. This projection sees a rematch of that matchup — a result which broke Wisconsin’s three-game win streak in bowl games. The Badgers are now 8-2 in those contests dating back to 2014.

Luke Fickell’s team returns to the field this Saturday on the road at Iowa. The game has significant stakes in the battle for position in the Big Ten. It also will see the winner clinch bowl eligibility, with each currently sitting at 5-3 on the season.

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