The 2024 season hasn’t even started yet, but college football analysts are already looking ahead to 2025. Procrastination? What’s that? Brad Crawford, for example, has already released his Top 25 rankings for next season, and it’s sure to generate some buzz. And one of the teams poised for a strong showing is Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers, who are all set to take revenge. The Tigers are brimming with confidence, especially with quarterback Garrett Nussmeier deciding to return. However, a lingering regret might be fueling Kelly’s desire for revenge.

On January 11, All College Football analyst Crawford dropped his ‘2025 WAY-TOO-EARLY TOP 25.’ So, according to this list, the Texas Longhorns and Ohio State Buckeyes, who just faced off in the Cotton Bowl, are ranked #1 and #2. The Bulldogs come in at #3. And let’s be real, Kelly’s Tigers are definitely looking better than they did last season.

Last time, Kelly’s program was left unranked. The Tigers were unranked for the first time since 2021. They were No.22 in November’s poll. Now that came off as a heartbreak. LSU—which dropped to 6-4 following its third straight loss, 27-16 at Florida—was out of the Top 25 for the first time since Oct. 16, 2022. But 2025 is going to flip the narrative for the better for the Tigers.

As per Crawford’s analysis, Kelly’s boys are going to land in the No.10th rank. Woah! Now that’s what you call revenge. This is something that LSU can gift their quarterback. After all, he has made a huge sacrifice. Nussmeier took the bold decision of staying back in Baton Rouge. For that, he will now have to be in an LDR with his sweetheart Ella Springfield. Already, Kelly and Co. are making efforts to make it a smooth ride for their signal-caller and have revamped the receiver room. 

Right from the beginning, Kelly wanted to become more dynamic in a hurry and has done just that in the transfer portal. They did catch some big fish. To name a few are Barion Brown from Kentucky, followed by Oklahoma’s Nic Anderson, and Destun Hill from Florida State. To top that, it marked the return of Chris Hilton, taking the speed perimeter to another level. Now it just does not have to do with Nussmeier’s return. 

A moment of heavy regret for Brian Kelly 

Looks like Kelly might be disturbed by something. That’s Notre Dame coming off as a rising force. Marcus Freeman’s boys are on a winning streak. 49-35 against USC Trojans, 27-17 against ‘Google Me’ man Curt Cignetti’s Indiana Hoosiers, followed by the beating Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs 23-10 in the Sugar Bowl. But their latest win came with beating James Franklin’s Penn State Nittany Lions 24-27 in the Orange Bowl.

They are only one game away from bagging the title. Now do you remember what Kelly said when he left Notre Dame in 2022? “I want to be in an environment where I have the resources to win a national championship.” Yes, that was his answer when Kelly brought an end to his 11-years-coaching career with the Fighting Irish between 2010 and 2021.

Bringing that up, ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum sprinkled some salt on Kelly’s fresh wounds, “And here is Marcus Freeman, who was his assistant briefly, and he’s now brought this team back and so much credit to him and amazing staff.” 

Did Brian Kelly get what he was looking for with the LSU Tiger? Unfortunately, no. So far the head coach hasn’t captured that elusive national title. Even worse, he at least coached twice in a College Football Playoff with the Fighting Irish, but with the Tigers, he didn’t get the chance. Now you know how wild the fire for redemption must be burning inside Kelly.