The LSU Tigers, once a powerhouse in college football, are now in a pretty rough spot under head coach Brian Kelly. A recent loss to the Vanderbilt Commodores has sparked outrage among LSU fans, who are loudly demanding Kelly’s firing.
Even though Kelly has a solid winning record, this loss to Vanderbilt has a lot of people wondering if he’s really the guy to bring home a national championship. Let’s take a closer look at the game, the fans’ reactions, and what this all means for Kelly’s future at LSU.
The Game: Vanderbilt vs. LSU
Heading into Week 8, the No. 10 LSU Tigers were hoping to notch an important win against the No. 17 Vanderbilt Commodores. Historically, Vanderbilt hasn’t had much luck against LSU—seriously, they hadn’t beaten them since 1990.
But this game? It was a whole different story.
Diego Pavia’s Stellar Performance
Vanderbilt’s senior quarterback, Diego Pavia, really stole the spotlight. Pavia, who actually started out at New Mexico State, completed 14-of-22 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown.
He showed off his dual-threat skills too, rushing for 86 yards and punching in two touchdowns on the ground. Vanderbilt racked up 239 rushing yards in total, and Pavia was a huge part of that.
LSU’s Early Lead and Subsequent Downfall
LSU jumped ahead with a 10-7 lead in the second quarter, but that didn’t last long. The Tigers’ defense just couldn’t figure out how to stop Pavia, and Vanderbilt took full advantage, eventually winning 31-24.
Now LSU’s sitting at 5-2, which is definitely not where they wanted to be. Their rankings and playoff hopes are probably taking a hit after this one.
Fan Reactions: The Call for Brian Kelly’s Dismissal
The loss to Vanderbilt has unleashed a wave of frustration from LSU fans all over social media. Lots of them are calling for Brian Kelly to get the boot, even though that would reportedly cost the program a jaw-dropping $53,293,333.
Fans’ posts range from personal disappointment to some pretty harsh takes on Kelly’s coaching. The mood is, let’s just say, less than optimistic.
Social Media Outcry
Social media was basically a flood of angry posts. Some fans want Kelly gone right now, while others are just sad about where LSU football is headed.
There’s a general feeling of disappointment and, honestly, not much faith left in Kelly’s ability to lead LSU to a national title.
Financial Implications
Cutting ties with Brian Kelly wouldn’t be cheap. USA TODAY reports that the buyout in Kelly’s contract would cost LSU over $53 million.
That kind of money is a big deal for the university, and it’s definitely something the higher-ups have to think about before making any big moves.
Brian Kelly’s Track Record
Even with the recent loss and the backlash, it’s worth remembering Brian Kelly’s overall track record. Since he took over at LSU in 2022, Kelly has won at least nine games every season.
His career record as a head coach? An impressive 200-75. Not too shabby, at least on paper.
Consistency vs. Championship Success
But here’s the thing—while Kelly’s teams are always competitive, he still hasn’t won a national championship. That’s the knock on him.
He keeps LSU in the playoff mix, sure, but is he the guy to push them over the top? That’s the big question everyone’s asking.
Upcoming Challenges
The road ahead isn’t getting any easier for LSU. After this Vanderbilt loss, they’ve got to host the No. 4 Texas A&M Aggies and the No. 6 Alabama Crimson Tide.
These games could end up deciding both this season and, honestly, Kelly’s future at LSU. No pressure, right?
Conclusion
The recent loss to Vanderbilt has put Brian Kelly’s time at LSU under a harsh spotlight. His overall record looks good on paper.
Still, he hasn’t managed to bring home a national championship, and that’s a shadow he can’t seem to shake. The cost of firing Kelly? It’s not small—there are big financial consequences to consider.
LSU’s got some tough games coming up, and honestly, the pressure on Kelly is only going to get heavier. If you want all the gritty details, check out the full article here.
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