The 2025 season will be an important year for Brian Kelly as he enters his fourth season as LSU's Head Coach after missing the College Football Playoff in 2024. Brian Kelly understood the importance of this season as he went loaded up via the transfer portal bringing in key pieces that elevated the roster to College Football Playoff contender status.
The Tigers return Garrett Nussmeier for a second season as the starter along with Whit Weeks, Harold Perkins Jr, Caden Durham, and several other key pieces. Given what Brian Kelly brings back, and what he brought in the expectation is to make the College Football Playoff.
The oddsmakers have said not so fast slowing the LSU hype train as the oddsmakers set LSU's win total at 8.5 wins putting LSU in the 8 to 9 win range.
NEW: Noteable 2025 College Football Win Totals via @FDSportsbook👀
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If the Tigers were to go 9-4 again or 8-5 going under the total, Brian Kelly would be in serious trouble as it would be a massive disappointment of a season. The Tigers face Clemson who's projected at 9.5 wins, Alabama who's projected at 8.5 wins, and Florida who's at 6.5 wins. Other opponents such as South Carolina, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma could also give the Tigers a close game in 2025.
In 2024, the Tigers went over 8.5 wins with a 9-4 record losing to USC, Texas A&M, Alabama, and Florida. Three of the four losses remain on LSU's schedule but, the Tigers swap out USC for Clemson which is a much tougher matchup on paper.
The win total does feel shockingly low given the talent on the LSU Football team heading into the year. The only position that you could say the Tigers got significantly worse at is the offensive line as the Tigers have a clear next man up across the board at every position.
In 2025, the Tigers have to outperform the win total and they'll need to do so by a pretty wide margin. A three loss season likely keeps LSU out of the College Football Playoff which would be a huge disappointment and would likely lead to some uncomfortable conversations around the direction of the program.