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Brian Kelly Dealt Blunt Reality Check Amid Growing Hype Around LSU

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt De Lima | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 5:49 PM ET

There is a lot of hype surrounding the LSU Tigers and head coach Brian Kelly ahead of the 2025 college football season. However, that's to be expected for a SEC powerhouse like the Tigers.

Despite that, one college football analyst believes everyone should pump the brakes because Kelly has yet to accomplish much of anything since his arrival in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

While on the Paul Finebaum Show, 247Sports analyst Brad Crawford explained his reasons why, if anything, Kelly should be on the hot seat.

"Brian Kelly hit the mark. He knows this, on paper, is the best roster he's had. For me, LSU's big thing this summer has been 'Don't buy into the hype. Don't read the press clippings. Don't watch 'The Paul Finebaum Show,'" said Crawford

Excuse us, @BCrawford247 ??? pic.twitter.com/V5qbCnfGVR
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) June 2, 2025

Per the 247Sports' 2025 transfer portal team rankings, LSU had the top class with 18 commitments. The Tigers paired that with the No. 10 recruiting class in 2025, which included two five-star and 19 four-star commitments.

With all those incoming players, LSU's roster is chock-full of new talent, and it's reflected in the added expectations surrounding the program.

"LSU is a team that should get to the (College Football) Playoff. Now 'should' is not 'would' or 'is it possible' because we've seen the last five years, LSU has not won a season opener," Crawford continued.

Kelly arrived with the Tigers ahead of the 2022 college football season, so this losing streak in opening games stretches beyond his tenure. LSU has lost to USC and Florida State twice over the last three years under Kelly.

The Tigers lost to UCLA in 2021 and to Mississippi State in 2020. LSU is travelling to Clemson to kick off the 2025 season on Aug. 30.

"With [quarterback] Garrett Nussmeier, a guy I think will be the No. 1 pick in next year's draft," said Crawford. "(Kelly has) got to get it done this time around or Brian Kelly is going to be on the hot seat by November."

Finebaum responded to Crawford's bold statement by saying that Kelly is going to be a regular guest on his show throughout the season, and he would use Crawford's quote to see what Kelly thinks about it.

LSU is ranked at No. 6 in ESPN's latest way-too-early college football rankings, and analyst Mark Schlabach shares a similar sentiment with Crawford that the Tigers should be "in the thick of the SEC title and CFP races."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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