Brian Kelly is feeling the heat. The LSU Tigers have two losses before the end of October, and are on the outside looking in of the College Football Playoff picture - again. LSU has yet to qualify for the CFP under Kelly, and essentially needs to win out against a tough schedule to even have a chance of getting in this year.
Kelly's teams have failed to play complimentary football in his 3.5 seasons in Baton Rouge, which has led to too many losses. Fans are reaching a boiling point, and if LSU loses to Texas A&M on Saturday, it's only going to get worse for Kelly.
Along with fans, media members are chiming on Kelly's tenure at LSU. ESPN's Stephen A Smith has put the LSU coach on blast heading into Saturday's showdown against the Aggies.
Stephen A. Smith blasts Brian Kelly
Stephen A. Smith says a lot is on the line for Kelly against Texas A&M. Smith states that if Kelly loses this game, his time at LSU is all but over.
"Brian Kelly's done. If he doesn't win this game, it's over. I'm not saying you're going to fire him Monday, but he's done. He won't be back next season. "Stephen A. Smith
Smith then recounts the history of previous LSU coaches. By Year 4 in Baton Rouge, Nick Saban, Les Miles, and Ed Orgeron had all won a national title. Kelly is just trying to make the playoffs, and with two losses already, getting there this season is a long shot at this point in time. "It's LSU," Smith said. "That ain't supposed to happen, but it has happened."
Smith also says how Kelly felt like a strange fit at LSU from the start, and how he's had to win in order to get the fan base back. Winning cures everything, and Kelly simply isn't getting it done.
"He's gotta win this game. Plain and simple. The time is up. He's had enough time. He's gotta win or he's gotta go someplace else."Stephen A. Smith
Smith says what is on the minds of plenty of LSU fans. The Tigers have underperformed in Kelly's tenure, and the fan base expects more than Citrus, ReliaQuest, and Texas Bowl wins. Kelly won't do himself any favors with another loss this weekend, as his seat will only get hotter. Even if it doesn't result in immediate action - as Kelly's massive buyout is among the highest in the country - the voice of LSU fans wanting a change will become even louder.
Beating Texas A&M won't be easy, but it's certainly possible. The Aggies are 7-0 with a perfect 4-0 mark in SEC play, but those 4 conference wins have come against Auburn, Mississippi State, Florida, and Arkansas - teams who are a combined 2-12 in SEC play. The Aggies are favored by 2.5 points.