Haunts from a Dark Past Greg McElroy, accompanied by Brian Kelly, boldly predicts LSU’s fate.

In the ever-evolving world of college football, predicting the outcome of a season is never an easy task. Coaches, players, analysts, and fans alike can only speculate based on past performance, recruiting classes, and player development. But when Greg McElroy, the former Alabama quarterback and ESPN analyst, steps into the conversation to make predictions, his opinions tend to carry weight, especially when paired with the insights of someone like Brian Kelly, LSU’s head coach.

For LSU football, the past few seasons have been defined by a mixture of triumphs and challenges—rebuilding after the abrupt departure of Coach Ed Orgeron, a brief return to relevance under new leadership, and an ambitious push to return to the top of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). However, the ghosts of LSU’s “dark past” still haunt them, and the path forward isn’t as clear-cut as it may seem. McElroy and Kelly’s recent predictions about the fate of LSU’s 2024 season offer a glimpse into how they view the future of this storied program, as well as how the lessons of the past could shape LSU’s trajectory moving forward.

This piece delves into McElroy’s bold prediction for LSU, examining the combination of historical context, team dynamics, and coaching philosophies that underlie his assessment. Additionally, we will look at how Brian Kelly‘s leadership has shaped LSU’s current outlook and why McElroy’s perspective is not only a product of his football background but also of his understanding of the broader dynamics that shape college football in the modern era.

The Haunts of LSU’s Dark Past

To truly understand the weight of Greg McElroy’s prediction for LSU’s future, we must first reflect on the program’s “dark past.” Although LSU is historically one of the most dominant programs in the SEC, their journey has been filled with both highs and lows that have shaped the current landscape. The 2019 National Championship season, led by Joe Burrow, was the pinnacle of LSU’s football success. It was a glorious run, one that secured Ed Orgeron’s place in LSU lore as one of the program’s most beloved figures. However, the subsequent fall from grace after that victory was swift and significant, creating the “haunts” that now linger over the program.

After the 2019 national title, LSU entered a period of disarray, starting with Orgeron’s inability to sustain the program’s success. The subsequent decline led to his eventual departure after the 2021 season, despite his immense popularity and the historical significance of the championship. The fall from a national powerhouse to a mid-tier SEC team was abrupt, and the ghost of that downward spiral lingered throughout LSU’s rebuilding efforts.

While LSU’s football team has a rich history of dominant athletes, including legendary coaches such as Nick Saban and Les Miles, the pressure to rebuild quickly after Orgeron’s exit was immense. The program needed a coach who could revive the glory days without being weighed down by the mistakes of the past. Enter Brian Kelly, a coach known for his success at Notre Dame and his proven ability to turn programs around.

For McElroy, these recent years of LSU football are crucial in predicting their fate moving forward. He has often stated that while LSU has immense talent and potential, the program still has to work through the psychological remnants of that “dark past,” particularly with a new coaching staff and a renewed sense of identity.

Greg McElroy’s Bold Prediction: LSU’s Potential for 2024

Greg McElroy has long been an astute analyst of college football, and his predictions tend to reflect a deep understanding of the game’s intricate dynamics. In a recent discussion, McElroy boldly predicted that LSU could potentially contend for an SEC title in 2024 and could even make a run at the College Football Playoff (CFP). However, he also warned of key challenges that could undermine the team’s success, referencing the program’s rocky transition post-Orgeron and the need to overcome past mistakes.

McElroy’s faith in LSU’s future largely centers around the talent on the roster, particularly quarterback Jayden Daniels, whose development under Kelly has been one of the most notable storylines in Baton Rouge since Kelly’s arrival. McElroy has expressed admiration for Daniels’ dual-threat ability and his ability to lead LSU’s offense with precision and poise. However, McElroy also highlighted the importance of the defensive unit, noting that the Tigers must tighten up on that side of the ball in order to compete against high-powered SEC offenses.

The looming “haunt” of LSU’s past, in McElroy’s view, is their defensive inconsistency. While LSU has had some elite defensive players over the years, the Tigers’ defense has often been prone to lapses, particularly when going up against elite offenses. McElroy stressed that LSU needs to find a way to plug those defensive holes while remaining aggressive in their pursuit of the quarterback. Without a balanced, high-level defense, LSU’s aspirations for a national title would likely remain out of reach.

In addition, McElroy pointed out the volatility of the SEC West, which remains one of the toughest divisions in college football. Programs like Alabama, Georgia, and Texas A&M are always strong competitors, and LSU’s schedule in 2024 is filled with tough matchups. McElroy’s prediction isn’t one of certainty, but rather a cautious optimism. While he believes LSU has the potential to reach the pinnacle of college football once again, he is keenly aware that LSU must continue to evolve and correct some of the mistakes made in the post-Orgeron era.

Brian Kelly’s Leadership and the LSU Rebuild

A central element to McElroy’s prediction is the leadership of Brian Kelly, who is in the midst of his second season with LSU. Kelly, who led Notre Dame to multiple College Football Playoff appearances, was hired to bring stability and sustained success to a program that had suffered from inconsistency in recent years. Kelly’s track record at Notre Dame proved his ability to build a program from the ground up, and his task at LSU is no different.

Kelly’s philosophy centers around building a well-rounded team with a strong foundation. While LSU’s roster has been historically filled with raw talent, Kelly’s approach involves emphasizing discipline, attention to detail, and consistency. He has made significant strides in improving LSU’s recruiting, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, but the true test for Kelly will be whether he can develop a defense that can withstand the explosive offenses found throughout the SEC.

One of Kelly’s most important decisions has been the coaching staff he has assembled at LSU. He hired Matt House as the defensive coordinator, a move that has paid off in many respects. House’s defensive schemes have already shown signs of improvement, but like McElroy, Kelly understands that there’s still work to be done on that side of the ball. To truly compete for SEC and national championships, LSU’s defense must evolve from being just “good” to being dominant.

Brian Kelly’s leadership extends beyond just Xs and Os—his ability to connect with players, hold them accountable, and create a winning culture has made an immediate impact at LSU. Under his guidance, the team’s overall discipline has improved, and Kelly has fostered a level of stability that was lacking in the post-Orgeron era. This renewed sense of purpose and direction is critical for LSU as they aim to climb back to the top of the college football world.

The Ghosts of Past Departures and Success

While Greg McElroy is optimistic about LSU’s potential, he’s also mindful of the challenges posed by the ghosts of past departures—particularly in the form of Ed Orgeron’s sudden decline and the pressure to replicate the success of the 2019 championship season. The weight of Orgeron’s legacy still lingers at LSU, and the team’s ability to rebound from the highs of 2019 and sustain success is a psychological barrier that no coaching staff can entirely erase overnight.

The program is also still adjusting to the departure of key players from the championship squad, most notably Joe Burrow, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Ja’Marr Chase. While LSU has certainly replenished its talent pool with a strong recruiting class and transfer portal additions, these players’ absence creates an intangible “hole” that LSU must fill in both performance and leadership.

McElroy acknowledges that LSU’s rebuilding process won’t be immediate, but he believes that the combination of Kelly’s leadership, Daniels’ development, and LSU’s recruiting prowess can eventually restore the Tigers to national prominence. Still, there are lingering questions about whether LSU can achieve sustained success in a division as competitive as the SEC West. The pressure to maintain excellence in a league that features perennial powerhouses like Alabama and Georgia is immense.

The Path Forward: A Championship Window

For McElroy, LSU’s path forward in 2024 revolves around the team’s ability to balance offense and defense, continue developing their key players, and navigate the tough SEC schedule. The Tigers have all the tools to compete for an SEC title, but the margin for error in this league is razor-thin. LSU must stay healthy, continue to develop players at key positions, and remain focused on consistency.

In the end, McElroy’s prediction that LSU could make a run at a national championship isn’t out of reach, but it will require them to eliminate the defensive lapses and mental mistakes that have plagued them in the past. LSU’s program, under Brian Kelly, is on the right path—but whether or not they can overcome the dark haunts

of their past and claim another national title will depend on how well they capitalize on their current opportunities.

For LSU football, the 2024 season could be the beginning of a new chapter—one that blends tradition, new leadership, and an ever-present desire to be great. If Greg McElroy’s bold prediction comes true, it will mark a new era in LSU football, where the ghosts of past failures are finally laid to rest.