Whether it's fair or not, Brian Kelly will be judged on three remaining games

After Brian Kelly and the LSU Football team dropped their season opener to the USC Trojans, a large faction of the LSU fanbase has started to sour on the head coach. Fans of cited his lack of success in season openers, his hefty salary, and his lack of success against ranked opponents among other reasons. The first two are a bit of an overreaction but, there is some truth to his record against ranked opponents.

After losing to USC, Brian Kelly is just 3-6 versus ranked opponents as LSU's head coach. His losses have come to USC, a 10-3 Florida State team, 11-2 Ole Miss, 11-2 Tennessee, 5-7 Texas A&M, 13-1 Florida State, 12-2 Alabama that made the playoff, and in the SEC Championship game to Georgia who'd finish the year 15-0 winning the National Championship.

Given the defensive struggles with Matt House as the defensive coordinator paired with the fact that this roster still isn't filled with his players, there are excuses that can be made for Brian Kelly. With that said, if LSU fares poorly in its remaining games against ranked opponents, there will be an uncomfortable conversation had this off-season.

LSU will play host to 6th ranked Ole Miss, 4th ranked Alabama, and 15th ranked Oklahoma all before the season comes to a close. These game will ultimately decide if LSU makes the College Football Playoff, if Kelly goes 0-3 the Tigers are certainly out, he goes 1-2 they'd need a miracle, 2-1 and they're likely in, and 3-0 means the Tigers are most likely headed to Atlanta to play for the SEC Championship.

It'll be tough but, Kelly has to win these games at home

Frankly put, given the fact that all three of Kelly's ranked games are taking place at Tiger Stadium, he can't have a losing record. These will be games that are heavily attended by LSU recruiting targets and if the Tigers don't have success it'll certainly be used against the Tigers by opposing programs in recruiting pitches. The LSU Tigers should consistently be one of the top 12 programs in the country and missing out on the first 12 team playoff will certainly hurt LSU. There will be internal effects as well as the fanbase will certainly question if he's the guy for the job depending on how he fairs.

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