Paul Finebaum points out when he thinks Ed Orgeron’s seat could really heat up

SEC Network host Paul Finebaum doesn’t necessarily think LSU football head coach Ed Orgeron is on the hot seat right now, but he thinks that could be the case in the not-so-distant future.

Finebaum answered a question from a listener on his show this week about Orgeron’s job status.

The longtime host acknowledged that questions about Orgeron’s job status are really hard to answer right now because there’s simply not enough information yet.

Finebaum, however, suggested that if LSU beats Mississippi State in two weeks that the talk about Coach O’s job status could quiet down.

But if that game doesn’t go well, it could abruptly ignite the hot seat talk.

Paul Finebaum’s comments about Ed Orgeron’s job status

Here are Finebaum’s full comments on Orgeron’s job status and the importance of the Mississippi State game (via 247Sports):

"“As far as Coach O, I think it’s difficult to answer your question,” Finebaum said. “And this is not one that I’m dodging, because I don’t think we have enough information yet. I think every game becomes very important to the fanbase. And so far, I think they’re a little bit underwhelmed. The next critical game is Mississippi State on the road. If he can get a win there, I think he quiets everyone down. But if that game goes the wrong way, then suddenly, he has lost two games that fans and media did not expect him to lose before the season — and that’s before you take a look at the schedule, which is brutal.”"

I definitely think that’s a fair answer from Finebaum.

One of the main goals this season for the Tigers was to prove that the 2020 season was an anomaly.

Losing to Mississippi State for a second straight season certainly wouldn’t achieve that goal.

If the Tigers start the season 2-2, there’s a good chance it spirals from there. A matchup against Auburn follows the Mississippi State game (and Auburn is playing well).

Then it’s Kentucky (strong defense under Mark Stoops), Florida (always a tough game), Ole Miss (always a shootout), Alabama (ouch), Arkansas (just beat Texas easily), ULM (easy win), and Texas A&M (barely beat Colorado, but still a very tough opponent).

If LSU loses to Mississippi State, I’m not comfortable calling any of those games (outside of ULM) an automatic win.

And of course, the Tigers have to get past a solid Central Michigan team this week, too.

LSU needs to get on track fast. Otherwise, this could get real ugly, real quick.