“This is absolutely one thousand percent a playoffs or bust year… If you cannot make the playoffs this year with this roster that you have assembled, then I will never again expect you to.” When you hand over the kingdom with a $95 million contract, you’d expect some results, right? Three years without a playoff dream is simply unacceptable, and it’s time for Brian Kelly to realize this. Every time we talk about LSU, it just breaks our hearts. There was once a team with a natty win in 2019, and now they are not in a single conversation. Like, what even happened? Wasn’t Brian Kelly supposed to be the messiah who was going to take the Tigers to the next level?

Going from winning almost every single award at every individual position WITH an undefeated season to not even winning a single season opener game in the last 5 years. This isn’t even funny anymore. “Nothing is bigger right now than ‘win the first game of the season’ because that is what is held him back from all of his goals,” T-Bob Hebert points during a conversation on On3. It’s like this Achilles heel the Tigers have. We won’t even consider Kelly right now. See, this weird habit started in 2020. They lost to Mississippi State and ended the year with 5-5. Right after the natty win, mind you.

Then, in 2021, the same drama. UCLA loss, and there goes the season under the gutter. The problem was never solved, even after Kelly took over. Florida State and USC made sure that Kelly isn’t getting his season-opening win, and now Clemson is on the hunt.

With a $95 million cushion, you’d think Brian Kelly could buy a clue—or at least a game plan. Instead, LSU still feels like a ghost of its 2019 glory days. And if this downward spiral keeps spinning, don’t be surprised if fans stop waving the flag and start pelting stones!

Especially when, as Hebert pointed out, LSU isn’t short on firepower—every weapon they need for a comeback season is right there. So what’s the excuse now?

Tigers vs Tigers

Death Valley is about to bear witness to a surprising tale. After 4 post-season games, this would be the first time LSU and Clemson will come face to face in a regular season showdown. Now, with Kelly’s record concerning season openers, analysts have already counted out LSU.

But should they? Kelly arguably had some of the best picks from the portal—4 top candidates landed from the list of 12. The WR room is going to have Kentucky firepower in Barion Brown and Sooners’ Nic Anderson. Kelly also made a solid upgrade to the CB room by taking No.9 Mansoor Delane from the Hokies.

Now, you also have Nuss staying back at Baton Rouge for another year of demolition. Sure, some fans say Garrett Nussmeier was left high and dry—but this guy’s still packing serious potential and just might be the game-changer Brian Kelly desperately needs.

But only if he can fight the ghosts of his past: LSU and its chemistry with the running corps. Kelly’s team continues to abandon the run game, and that is costing Nussmeier big time. Even Andy Ari pointed this out: “I think Garrett Nussmeier needs it, and it’s not something Garrett Nussmeier can control, so LSU should not abandon the run game.”

With those additions to the WR room, Kelly should be able to give Nuss more breathing room instead of handing over a 43.5% success with the rushing/running game. At this point, every single penny counts because, after a long time, LSU finally has a shot at breaking the taboo and ending this 3-year long curse. Now, if they don’t? Well, Kelly has to say goodbye to the keys to the kingdom.