Week 8 of the college football season brought plenty of storylines. Unfortunately for LSU fans, the Tigers' 31-24 loss at Vanderbilt is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. The loss was LSU's first to Vanderbilt since 1990, and snapped a 10-game win streak against the Commodores. Fans and media alike are reacting to another loss for Brian Kelly, and one prominent figure hits the nail on the head.
Barstool's Brandon Walker is among the biggest media presences in college football, and he perfectly encapsulated how all LSU fans are feeling right now. Walker listed LSU at the top of his list naming teams that lost the week in Week 8, stating that the "Kelly era is such a mistake."
Five teams that lost the week
— Brandon Walker (@BFW) October 19, 2025
1 LSU - The Kelly era is such a mistake
2 Miami - still in good shape but that was the UGA Beck
3 Nebraska - Minnesota owns you
4 Auburn - Fire him
5 Texas Tech - probably still fine but not the big 12 monster we thought
LSU fans reaching a boiling point with Brian Kelly
Tiger fans are reaching a boiling point with Brian Kelly. His tenure at LSU has been a frustrating one, and in a world where winning fixes everything, Kelly isn't winning enough. Kelly now has LSU with two losses before the end of October (again), and has now lost multiple SEC games in all four of his seasons in Baton Rouge.
Kelly's tenure at LSU has been defined by inconsistency and failing to rise to the occasion. Kelly preaches the importance of playing complimentary football, but it hasn't been a reality during his tenure in Baton Rouge. When the offense is rolling, the defense struggles. LSU all but wasted a Heisman campaign from Jayden Daniels in 2023, as the defense couldn't stop anybody. Then when the defense is clicking, the offense can't get going. Additionally, Kelly is just 5-9 against ranked opponents at LSU. That simply isn't going to cut it.
LSU spent approximately $18 million on its 2025 roster, which leaves Kelly with little excuses. This was the year it was all supposed to come together, and it just hasn't materialized. Overall, Kelly is now 34-13 and 19-9 in SEC play with LSU. He's been great at home, but the road has been a different story. Under Kelly, LSU is just 11-11 away from Baton Rouge, which includes a 7-7 record in true road games. Both of LSU's losses this season have come on the road, and Saturday's loss to Vanderbilt dropped the Tigers from No. 10 to No. 20 in the AP Poll.
Kelly's best win at LSU came in Year 1 in overtime against Alabama, but the program hasn't had a signature win since. Early on this season, it looked as though LSU's season opening win at then-No. 4 Clemson could fit that bill, but Clemson is nowhere near as good as anyone thought. LSU has yet to make the College Football Playoff under Kelly, and already with two losses this season, is on the outside looking in yet again.
It doesn't get any easier from here, as LSU faces No. 3 Texas A&M at home and No. 4 Alabama on the road over its next two games. As it stands, Kelly's massive buyout may be saving him from being shown the door.