Ain’t no hiding from the past, especially when it’s got receipts. And Brian Kelly? Yeah, his past is crashing the party like a surprise guest—a little awkward, a little messy, and definitely stirring things up. LSU wrapped up the 2024 season with a solid but not spectacular 9-4 record, and now, as they gear up for 2025, the ghosts of Kelly’s shortcomings are creeping in. Enter Greg McElroy, a former Alabama QB turned analyst who just hopped on his podcast, Always College Football, to break down LSU’s fate in 2025. And let’s just say—he didn’t hold back.

“There are parts that I’m a little concerned about,” McElroy said on the February 9th episode, sounding like a man reviewing a shaky used car. “That defense last year gave up 24 points a game—that’s a problem.” Facts. Under Kelly, LSU’s offense has been cooking, but that defense? Nah! Well, the 2024 squad did show some growth, going from 108th in total defense to 61st. They improved on third-down stops (117th to 84th) and turned their red-zone defense from a straight-up robbery (112th) to a respectable 19th. But if they’re thinking a Natty run? That ain’t enough.

Now, the good news—LSU ain’t playing around in the transfer portal. They went full Black Friday mode and ordered some certified dogs. Defensive lineman Patrick Payton from Florida State? Check. Pass rusher Jimari Butler from Nebraska? Got him. Plus, they snagged two elite DBs, Tamarcus Cooley and Mansoor Delane. This defense might actually perform well in 2025, and they’ll need to if they want to avoid another mid-season collapse.

McElroy then turned the spotlight on LSU’s offensive line, which—let’s be real—took a major hit. “You also have to replace two offensive linemen [Will Campbell and Emory Jones]…that are really, really good,” McElroy pointed out. Losing Campbell, who might’ve been the best left tackle in CFB, ain’t exactly an easy fix. But LSU’s making moves.

They got Tyree Adams to step in, pulled Braelin Moore from Virginia Tech, and flipped 5-star OT Solomon Thomas from FSU after Mike Norvell fired Alex Atkins, someone that Solomon Thomas holds dear to his heart. Now, Brian Kelly got Alex Atkins and Solomon Thomas. Talk about 1 stone, 2 bird, huh? Still, question marks remain, and in the SEC, trench battles ain’t for the weak, and schedule decides your fate.

Brian Kelly’s 2025 season schedule: another playoff-snub?

Now, let’s talk about what might be Kelly’s biggest nightmare—his own history. Three straight seasons at LSU and three straight Playoff misses. But the real kicker? The man is 0-3 in season openers since landing in Baton Rouge. And guess what? LSU opens the 2025 season at Clemson. That’s right—Week 1, on the road, Death Valley. The same place that eats teams alive before they even get their bearings.

McElroy kept it real about another dark past: “They desperately need to get a win there in Week 1 because Brian Kelly is 0-3 in Week 1 games at LSU.” Facts. Losing early ain’t just about the record—it’s a mental hurdle. A slow start, and the ‘Natty or nothing’ dreams start feeling like wishful thinking.

Beyond Clemson and Dabo Swinney, the schedule is as brutal as it could be. They face Billy Napier’s stacked Florida Gators in week 3, a tough match-up. Both coaches are on the same heat boat. Then they play Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss on September 27 on the road game, then they got South Carolina, and Texas A&M all come to Baton Rouge. The biggest roadblock to Natty?

A November 8th trip to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama. Yeah, that’s the game. Kalen DeBoer’s job security relies on making it to the playoffs. Beat Bama and the CFP conversation gets real. Lose, and it’s another “maybe next year” season. So, what’s the verdict?

McElroy actually sees LSU breaking through. “I think this is a year when LSU makes the College Football Playoff. I think they’re going to be in, and I think when they get there, they’re going to be a huge problem for just about anybody.” LSU fans gotta hope he’s right. Because another year of “almost” might just have folks looking sideways at Brian Kelly’s hefty contract. It’s do-or-die time in Baton Rouge, and Kelly’s past ain’t going anywhere until he proves it wrong.