After a 24-19 defeat to Ole Miss in Oxford this past Saturday, Brian Kelly’s Tigers sit at a crossroads, and SEC insider Paul Finebaum indicates things won’t get easier.
On the Matt Barrie Show, Finebaum did not hold back when determining where LSU is moving forward. His assessment showed a team with more than just one bad loss in front of them, but a schedule that could cause their playoff plans to fall apart.
“Yeah, I think they’re in a really tough spot, Matt. I’m thinking through their schedule in my head and they have to go to Alabama. they have Oklahoma. You may have to help me here, but I’m trying to think. who else? I really I think they have Texas A&M,” Finebaum stated (2:36).
“I mean the good news for them is that you know it’s only one loss. Uh
that’s why the Clemson game was so critical. I always looked at that Ole Miss game though Matt as being problematic for them. That was a game last year that they won in overtime,” he explained (3:41).
Finebaum further elaborated saying he is hesitant to write LSU off because of what the schedule suggested, but he admitted it would be bullheaded to ignore the fact that they have serious offensive problems.
What made the loss from Saturday even more painful is how they lost. LSU was held to just 57 rushing yards without their best back, Caden Durham. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for a little less than 197 yards with one interception, and possibly the most troubling was their third-down conversion rate, which was 2-for-11.
Brian Kelly Faces Scrutiny After LSU’s Loss to Ole Miss
Brian Kelly, the head coach of LSU, is currently in the midst of some intense scrutiny following LSU’s Saturday loss to Ole Miss.
Postgame, Kelly came clean about what didn’t work. He opined that the Tigers didn’t play complementary football. The offense was unable to sustain drives, which gave the opposing defense, on the field for over 49 plays in only the first half.
When the discussions began to talk about Nussmeier’s performance, Kelly defended his quarterback while also sharing the blame amongst the rest of the team.
“There’s many, many players that have to play their best when their best is needed,” Kelly stated.
The LSU coach has not lost trust despite the loss. That said, belief isn’t going to get the Tigers right. Kelly knows that need to get his team to complement one another and bounce back strongly, if they want to have hope for a playoff berth.
Read More:
- “Fire Nuss and Fire Kelly”: LSU Fans Don’t Hold Back as Tigers Lose To Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss in SEC Thriller
- Former LSU Star Puts Brian Kelly On the Hot Seat, Claims ‘Fan Base Is Going To Turn Quickly’
- Brian Kelly Gets 100% Real on Billy Napier’s Struggles at Florida Following USF Blowout Loss
