As Brian Kelly begins his third season leading LSU’s football program, the team faces numerous uncertainties. With significant roster changes and a revamped defensive strategy, the Tigers’ future trajectory is unclear. Despite notable achievements like an SEC championship game appearance and a Heisman winner, Kelly’s program still trails behind Georgia and now faces strong competition from newcomers Texas, as well as emerging teams like Ole Miss and Missouri.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly offers a cautiously optimistic outlook for LSU, listing them as contenders for the conference title in his SEC season preview. However, he notes the difficulty in predicting the program’s direction. While LSU’s offense has improved, their defense ranked 52nd in SP+ last season, and special teams continue to present challenges.
This season, the offense will feature new players, including quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who will lead a group of experienced receivers such as Kyren Lacy and Chris Hilton Jr., along with tight end Mason Taylor and transfers CJ Daniels and Zavion Thomas. Connelly anticipates a slight regression in the offense, placing additional pressure on the defense to significantly improve.
Under new coordinator Blake Baker, the defense includes standout players like Harold Perkins Jr., whom Connelly believes has the potential to become an elite player. Perkins’ impressive stats, including 15 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, highlight his disruptive capabilities. Baker plans to maximize Perkins’ versatility by moving him inside, where he was more impactful during his freshman season.
Despite the uncertainties, Connelly’s analytical SP+ rankings place LSU ninth in preseason projections. If this projection holds, it could mark LSU’s first appearance in the College Football Playoff under Kelly’s leadership. With an expanded playoff format and defensive changes, the Tigers have a strong chance of making a deep postseason run, Connelly concluded.
