Brian Kelly and the LSU program have a big opportunity against Alabama, and a lot more on the line than just winning or losing one football game
Week 11 of college football promises to be one of the most entertaining of the 2024 season thus far. There are several prominent games on the slate, including the (11) Alabama Crimson Tide traveling to take on the (14) LSU Tigers. Both teams are very much in contention for the college football playoffs, but a […]
Week 11 of college football promises to be one of the most entertaining of the 2024 season thus far. There are several prominent games on the slate, including the (11) Alabama Crimson Tide traveling to take on the (14) LSU Tigers. Both teams are very much in contention for the college football playoffs, but a loss would all but eliminate either.
On the LSU side, this is an especially important game coming off of a 38-23 loss to Texas A&M two weeks ago. Head coach Brian Kelly has garnered a reputation over the years for falling short in the biggest games, and could really use a strong showing in this type of environment.
After that loss to the Aggies before the bye week, that dropped Kelly’s record against top 25 teams to just 4-7 since coming down to Baton Rouge. That narrative surrounding Kelly didn’t just appear the minute he came down to the SEC. It was something that was created during his time with Notre Dame.
His win percentage with the Irish in those top 25 games was slightly better, but was still below .500, finishing his tenure 23-24 overall in those games. While at Notre Dame it wasn’t simply that his teams didn’t win on the biggest stage, in most instances, it wasn’t even close. Kelly was simply out coached when the light shined brightest.
After a lot of positive momentum for Kelly and LSU during his 2022 debut, things are beginning to level out in a big way. In that first campaign, it was the team’s 32-31 victory over Alabama ironically that was Kelly’s crowning achievement with the program. That was one of the big moments that helped LSU secure a spot in the SEC championship game, which ended up being a 50-30 loss to Georgia that season.
The further we get away from that victory over the Crimson Tide, the less patient that LSU fans will become. The roster excuses have already gotten old, and so have the post game cliches. Tiger fans became bitter rivals of Notre Dame fans when Kelly first chose to head down to the bayou, citing jealousy as a reason that so many people spoke out against Kelly.
In actuality, it was more of a friendly warning, but one that wasn’t well received. While the seat isn’t hot for Coach Kelly right now, it does appear that a lot of LSU fans do have their antennas raised. It is a proud fan base that will only accept winning in the biggest games, and so far Kelly has continued to underwhelm in that department.
You have Alabama at home, which is obviously a nice advantage on Saturday. Either the team will win, and the frustration around the coaching staff will dwindle for a little while, or the naysayers will become even louder. There is a lot on the line for Kelly and his program this week.
