Brian Kelly predicts Lane Kiffin will take LSU where he never could

LSU is entering Year 1 under Lane Kiffin with high expectations, but what does his predecessor, Brian Kelly, have to say about the Tigers this season?

For many LSU fans, they probably do not want to hear or see what LSU’s embattled former coach has to say. I wouldn’t blame them, since he massively underachieved while in Baton Rouge. However, he is still a future Hall of Fame coach with plenty of knowledge, and we will hear him speak more as he joined CBS Sports as an analyst for its college football coverage.

While you might expect him to be highly negative about LSU given how it ended, he was quite high on the Tigers, picking them to go 10-2, which would likely put them in the College Football Playoff.

Of course, he didn’t go over the games against Louisiana Tech, McNeese, and Mississippi State because, according to Kelly, they are automatic wins, or should be. He didn’t break down those games and marked them down as LSU wins. Here’s his prediction for each game along with some extra analysis from myself.

Brian Kelly's game-by-game LSU predictions are quite eye-opening

To open things up, Kelly mentioned that Sam Leavitt will have a slow start because he missed spring ball to rehab his broken foot. However, he believes Death Valley will make the difference in the game against Clemson.

“LSU's quarterback did not partake in any spring ball; he'll have preseason camp, but he's going to be a little bit rusty. Clemson does not have an incumbent quarterback coming back either. I'm going to take the team that's at home, and it is a very difficult place to play on the road. Tiger Stadium wins that game.”

I agree with this assessment, as Clemson will be starting junior quarterback Christopher Vizzina, who will be a first-time starter. If there is any game I would not want to have my first stadium experience, it’s Death Valley in Baton Rouge. Plus, LSU’s defense will be staunch once again.

BK’s Pick: W (1-0)

Brian Kelly Sees LSU Stumbling in Lane Kiffin’s Return to Ole Miss

After defeating Louisiana Tech, Kelly expects LSU to lose against Ole Miss in Oxford, as the sting from Kiffin’s departure to Baton Rouge is still fresh on people’s minds. Also, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss thrives in these types of environments.

“They'll have great energy and momentum going into that game, and they'll eventually win that football game. I think this really comes down to, you know, which quarterback plays better. If Trinidad Chambliss plays to the level that we all think he can, this can be a game that Ole Miss beats LSU.”

This is one of the most anticipated games of the season, maybe ever. This is a game I expect to come down to the wire, but this is a game I also believe LSU will lose, especially considering the fact that LSU has not won at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium since 2019.

BK’s Pick: L (2-1)

Brian Kelly predicts LSU gets revenge against the team that helped end his era

However, LSU will bounce back the following week and defeat A&M to end a two-game skid, one that famously ended the BK era of LSU football.

“You're going to be able to flip this.  I think if they get out of it 1-1, they're going to feel pretty good moving forward. 

The irony of him selecting LSU to beat Texas A&M is notable. Is he still salty about being 1-3 against the Aggies? Probably so, but so are many LSU fans, and they hope to see LSU flip the script, especially since one of its biggest weaknesses over the last two seasons has been stopping mobile quarterbacks, especially A&M’s Marcel Reed.

BK’s Pick: W (3-1)

Brian Kelly expects LSU’s talent to win out in tricky Kentucky road test

Kelly expects LSU to win this game. 

“That's a win for LSU; they'll find a way to win that game. Any game on the road in the SEC or the Big Ten is difficult, so this will be a difficult one, but I expect LSU to win.  LSU's got the talent; they'll wake up in front of that stadium and they'll win this football game. 

While LSU should win this game, the Tigers are 5-6 at Lexington the last 40 seasons in Lexington and the Wildcats have won three of the last five meetings against the Tigers in Lexington. Also of note, the two games LSU did win in those last five meetings  were by four points or less.

BK’s Pick: W (5-1)

Brian Kelly has a simple message that LSU fans will love

Brian Kelly has LSU beating Alabama.

“I think they'll have great energy and momentum with just the one stumble at this point. I think they'll beat Alabama at home,” Kelly said.

No need to break that down. You heard the man!

BK’s Pick: W (7-1)

Brian Kelly has LSU walking into an Auburn trap — and escaping

Kelly expects LSU to beat Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium, but it will be tough. And considering that Kelly has played in some of the toughest environments in college football, let alone the SEC, he says playing at Auburn is “one of the most difficult places that I played in the SEC on the road.”

One of the most difficult places I played in the SEC on the road was Auburn. This will be a tough game. They're going to go down to the wire, and they'll find a way to win. LSU will win the game.  I think they'll have great energy and momentum with just the one stumble at this point. I think they'll beat Alabama at home. 

This is the ultimate trap game for LSU. Auburn should be much better offensively with Byrum Brown at quarterback, and its defense — one that helped Auburn avoid finishing worse than 5-7 — returns much of its starting unit.

BK’s Pick: W (8-1)

Brian Kelly predicts Arch Manning hands LSU its second loss

For the first time since 2022, a Manning will play at Death Valley as Arch will hope to lead the Longhorns to a victory in Tiger Stadium. Kelly believes he will.

“This is difficult. I think that they probably get beat at the end here, and I expect that Texas will win this game.” 

BK’s Pick: L (8-2)

Brian Kelly predicts Blake Baker’s defense will be Tennessee’s kryptonite

Kelly predicts that LSU will defeat Tennessee in Kiffin’s second return to Knoxville as he believes his former assistant, defensive coordinator Blake Baker, will scheme up a successful game plan to frustrate the Volunteer offense. 

“Blake Baker, the defensive coordinator, has done really well against Josh Heipel's offenses, so I expect LSU to win this game at Tennessee,” Kelly said.

If Kelly’s prediction comes to reality, let’s hope golf balls and mustard bottles aren’t being pelted at Kiffin.

BK’s Pick: W (9-2)

Brian Kelly has LSU punching its playoff ticket against Arkansas

LSU closes out the season with a win, securing a playoff spot in the 12-team format, something Kelly could never do.

“This is for a playoff spot, and LSU will win the game. I think they're better on defense,” Kelly said.

BK’s Pick: W (10-2)

Brian Kelly predicts Lane Kiffin will take LSU where he Never Could

As aforementioned, Kelly predicted LSU go 10-2 and ultimately make the playoffs. He thinks Kiffin’s transfer portal haul over the offseason and the coaching staff they put together will do the trick. 

“Lane's done a great job in the portal. And then offensively, Lane and Charley Weiss will have that offense running quite well. They're like every other team; they've got to keep their quarterback healthy. If their quarterback's healthy, then they're going to be minimally a 10-2 team.”

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