After LSU’s weekend loss to Vanderbilt, the outlook for Brian Kelly’s era in Baton Rouge has dimmed considerably. Kelly arrived with ambitious Natty dreams and promises, but four seasons have yielded zero playoff appearances. With two losses already on the record, his only chance to solidify a playoff run or avoid being fired rests on a win against Texas A&M.
Wes Blankenship, weighing in on the situation, bluntly stated, “I put myself in the shoes of a player and the leadership it takes to navigate that whole season. It’s a grind to get there, and the remaining schedule that LSU has ahead. I just haven’t seen that LSU can bounce back from what they’ve already put out on the field and show that they’re going to be much better. So, yeah, they have two losses and are still mathematically alive, but based on this past weekend, that score is a lot closer than what happened on the field.”
The midpoint of Brian Kelly’s fourth season at LSU feels uncertain. While nine or ten wins might be acceptable elsewhere, it’s barely the baseline expectation for the Tigers. This year has exposed weaknesses, particularly as they face tough tests against Texas A&M, Alabama, and Oklahoma.
Alabama, currently on a six-game winning streak and ranked fourth in the AP poll after defeating four ranked opponents, presents a significant challenge. LSU also faces Arkansas, boasting a top 20 scoring offense under interim HC Bobby Petrino, and Oklahoma, which features the No. 2 scoring defense on the road.
Despite offensive struggles – including a low 56% touchdown rate in the red zone and ranking 86th in scoring offense and 83rd in total offense – Kelly remains confident in his team. Key injuries to White Weeks and defensive tackle Bernard Gooden have compounded these issues. “Some are saying I’m not getting my job done now,” Kelly admitted. “I get that. But we are working hard every single day to get our football team better.” Notably, the Tigers’ rushing attack has improved, now averaging 133 yards per game compared to 102.9 in the first five weeks.
However, the situation has dramatically impacted Garrett Nussmeier’s Heisman Trophy aspirations. Initially with 900+ odds, Nussmeier’s chances have plummeted to +1500, and he’s now largely absent from Heisman conversations. An ankle sprain against South Carolina hampered his performance, and a struggling run game – just 100 yards against Vanderbilt’s 243 – has added pressure. Despite completing 19 of 25 passes for 225 yards with two touchdowns, his season totals (1,413 yards, 9 TDs, 5 interceptions) don’t align with Heisman-winning standards. Meanwhile, players like Julian Sayin are dominating, showcasing 80% completion rates and multiple 300-yard games. Nussmeier’s offensive struggles are directly contributing to both Kelly’s precarious position and the dimming of his own Heisman hopes. It remains to be seen if Kelly can implement the necessary changes before Nussmeier’s chances are completely extinguished.