The LSU Tigers suffered their second loss of the season by a score of 31-24 at the hands of the Vanderbilt Commodores in Week 8. Vanderbilt controlled the game from start to finish as the Tigers were playing from behind for the majority of the contest. It's LSU's first loss to Vanderbilt since 1990. Needless to say, the LSU Football program is not where it wants to be this season.
Following the loss, fans have taken to social media in large numbers to express their displeasure with the job Brian Kelly and his staff have done. Clark Lea and Vanderbilt significantly out-coached Kelly and the Tigers on Saturday, which has Kelly looking for answers once again. One former player took to social media to voice the harsh reality of the LSU Football program.
Matt Flynn sounds off on the status of LSU's Football program
Former Tiger QB and 2-time BCS National Champion Matt Flynn posted on X (formerly Twitter) about the unfortunate status of LSU Football in 2025: Vanderbilt is just better than LSU right now. It's not something that the college football world is accustomed to seeing, but it's true.
Sometimes you lose a game you should’ve won. Sometimes you lose to worse team that just gets hot. Neither one of those things happened today.
— Matt Flynn (@mflynn3) October 18, 2025
Vanderbilt is better at football than LSU right now.
Tough reality, but here we are.
Clark Lea is awesome and Pavia is a baller.
"Vanderbilt is better at football than LSU right now. Tough reality, but we are here," Flynn wrote. After Vanderbilt's win over LSU on Saturday, it's tough to argue. The Commodores dominated time of possession 36:31-23:29, out-gained LSU 399-325, and rushed for 239 yards on 5.3 yards per carry. But it's not just Saturday's result that shows how Vanderbilt and LSU are heading in two different directions right now.
Vanderbilt is ascending into a serious contender, while LSU has regressed and/or remained stuck in relative mediocrity under Brian Kelly. Kelly's best win came in Year 1, and he's now lost 13 regular season games over 3.5 seasons in Baton Rouge. He's struggled mightily on the road, owning an 11-11 record away from Baton Rouge, and 7-7 in true road games. The Tigers have appeared in the SEC title game just once and have yet to quality for the College Football Playoff under Kelly.
LSU spent approximately $18 million to construct its 2025 roster, and entered the season with plenty of hype as a National Championship contender. But through seven games, it's clear the Tigers have significant flaws that aren't easy fixes. A battle with No. 4 Texas A&M awaits on Saturday at Tiger Stadium.