Paul Finebaum Names College Football Fan Base That Won’t ‘Put Up With Another Dismal Season’

"I think the pressure is pretty enormous," Finebaum said. "Because that's a great passionate fan base, but they're not going to put up with another dismal season. They look at last year, and they don't like what they see. They don't like losing to Alabama badly at home. That really hurt. They don't like throwing games away. They had that game against Southern Cal wrapped up, and they couldn't hold on."

Paul Finebaum Reveals What Would Put Brian Kelly on the Hot Seat

Kelly is not considered to be on the hot seat just yet, according to Finebaum. He believes that if LSU loses to the Clemson Tigers at the start of the season, it could lead to an overreaction, especially since LSU hasn't won an opening game since 2019. However, a loss to Clemson alone wouldn't necessarily put him on the hot seat.

“If Kelly loses that game, there will be an overreaction,” Finebaum previously said. “But the real problem will come a couple of weeks later because that’s when they have Florida at home. I believe that’s going to be a primetime game. That’s when the pressure starts because LSU has to navigate that September schedule.”

The Florida game could determine Kelly's fate. Last season, the Tigers lost 27-16 to the Gators.

Brian Kelly's Buyout Could Make Things Difficult

Deciding to part ways with Kelly will not be easy. He is considered one of the top coaches in college football, and ending his contract would involve a substantial buyout fee of $51.7 million.

The amount is set to decrease each year, dropping to $42.5 million in 2026, $33.1 million in 2027, $23.4 million in 2028, and finally reaching $13.5 million in 2029. If LSU decides to fire him this year and pay the buyout, it will be the second-largest buyout in college football history, trailing only the amount that the Texas A&M Aggies paid for Jimbo Fisher's buyout.

LSU will begin the season on the road against Clemson on Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET.