According to an analyst, LSU head football coach Brian Kelly’s 2025 season will be defined by just one Tigers victory.

According to an Analyst, LSU Head Football Coach Brian Kelly’s 2025 Season Will Be Defined by Just One Tigers Victory

The world of college football is filled with unpredictability, from unexpected upsets to game-changing performances that can alter the trajectory of a season. Among the many programs that dominate national conversation each year, LSU (Louisiana State University) is often at the center of attention. Known for its rich football history, passionate fan base, and perennial contender status, LSU football is always under the microscope.

For head coach Brian Kelly, the 2025 season will be a pivotal moment in his tenure with the Tigers. After his hiring in 2022, Kelly set out to elevate the program, continuing its legacy of success and national prominence. With several key recruits, returning stars, and a strong staff surrounding him, the 2025 season represents an opportunity for Kelly to further solidify his place as one of the top coaches in college football.

However, according to a prominent college football analyst, the 2025 season for Brian Kelly’s LSU Tigers could be defined by one game—one victory—that could either elevate the program to new heights or cast doubt on Kelly’s ability to lead LSU to an elite level.

Brian Kelly’s Journey to LSU: Setting the Stage for 2025

Before diving into the expectations for the 2025 season, it’s important to understand the trajectory that Brian Kelly has followed to get to this point.

Kelly arrived at LSU in 2022 after an illustrious tenure at Notre Dame, where he became one of the most successful coaches in college football. At Notre Dame, Kelly achieved sustained success, leading the Fighting Irish to multiple College Football Playoff appearances and consistently competing for national championships. However, despite his success, Kelly was often criticized for falling short when it came to winning the biggest games on the national stage.

When the LSU job became available, Kelly saw an opportunity to step into a new challenge—one that offered the chance to lead a program with an elite football culture, an incredible talent pipeline, and a passionate fan base that demands success. LSU’s football pedigree, combined with the resources available to the program, made it an attractive destination for Kelly.

His first season in Baton Rouge (2022) was an encouraging start. The Tigers finished with a respectable 10-4 record, including an SEC West title, and played in the Citrus Bowl. Kelly’s ability to adapt quickly to the SEC’s level of competition while managing to win in his first year was promising. However, there were some bumps along the way, particularly in the team’s losses to teams like Tennessee and Texas A&M.

In 2023, LSU continued to improve, but the program’s true potential seemed to be just out of reach. The Tigers finished the regular season 9-3, and though they showed flashes of brilliance, inconsistency and defensive struggles continued to plague the team. Despite these challenges, the 2023 season ended with an exciting victory in a bowl game, and expectations were high for the 2024 season.

Now, as we look ahead to 2025, the landscape has shifted again. The question is no longer whether Brian Kelly can win at LSU—it’s whether he can deliver a national championship or at least secure the program’s place among the elite teams in college football. And according to the analyst, one key victory could make all the difference in shaping the legacy of Kelly’s LSU tenure.

The Defining Game: An Analyst’s Take on the 2025 Season

The analyst, who has been covering college football for years and is known for his insight into SEC dynamics, posits that the 2025 season for LSU will be defined by a singular victory: a win over the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The rationale behind this bold claim lies in the historical dominance of Alabama under head coach Nick Saban. Saban has built a football dynasty in Tuscaloosa, and for nearly two decades, Alabama has been the benchmark in the SEC, if not in all of college football. For LSU, a program that prides itself on competing at the highest level, beating Alabama is more than just a victory on the scoreboard. It’s a statement.

Alabama’s Role in the SEC

Nick Saban’s Alabama teams have been virtually unbeatable in the SEC, with the Crimson Tide regularly finishing atop the SEC West and contending for national championships. Alabama has become the gold standard for success in college football, and any program in the SEC is judged by how they stack up against the Tide.

For LSU, this rivalry is particularly significant. Historically, LSU and Alabama have been two of the most dominant teams in the SEC, and their annual matchup is one of the most highly anticipated games in the entire college football season. However, since the Tigers’ 2019 national championship under head coach Ed Orgeron, Alabama has continued to hold the upper hand in the rivalry.

While LSU has had its share of success against Alabama—most notably the 2019 win that helped propel the Tigers to a national championship—the Tigers have struggled to maintain consistency against the Tide in recent years. In 2022 and 2023, LSU lost to Alabama in tight matchups, despite showing flashes of greatness. For LSU fans, these losses were difficult to digest, as the program is keenly aware of how important a victory over Alabama is for the culture and reputation of the team.

A Win Over Alabama as a Program-Changer

The analyst argues that a win over Alabama in 2025 would have far-reaching implications for LSU. First and foremost, it would prove that Brian Kelly has successfully turned LSU into a true national championship contender. Alabama’s dominance under Nick Saban has been a massive obstacle for many teams in the SEC, and to topple the Tide would mark a significant achievement for Kelly’s tenure.

Such a victory would not only improve LSU’s standing within the SEC but would also elevate the program on the national stage. It would prove that Kelly’s recruiting efforts have paid off and that LSU is once again in the same league as the elite teams in college football. A win over Alabama would make LSU a serious contender for the College Football Playoff, and it would signal to recruits that the Tigers are a force to be reckoned with.

Furthermore, beating Alabama would give LSU fans the long-awaited satisfaction of overcoming their biggest rival. For LSU’s passionate fanbase, this would be a cathartic moment, and it could reignite the sense of pride and excitement surrounding the program.

The Stakes for Brian Kelly

For Brian Kelly, a win over Alabama in 2025 could be a career-defining moment. While Kelly has certainly had success in his first two seasons at LSU, he has not yet won an SEC title or made it to the College Football Playoff with the Tigers. A victory over Alabama would go a long way in cementing his legacy at LSU and ensuring that his tenure is viewed as a success.

The analyst notes that Kelly’s reputation at LSU is closely tied to his ability to beat the SEC’s giants, especially Alabama. If Kelly is unable to secure that signature win in 2025, there could be growing questions about his ability to take LSU to the next level. Conversely, if Kelly is able to pull off a win against Saban’s Alabama squad, it would quiet any doubts and position him as one of the top coaches in the country.

The Road to 2025: What LSU Needs to Do

To make the 2025 season a success and secure that all-important victory over Alabama, LSU will need to focus on several key areas:

1. Quarterback Play – The quarterback position will be critical for LSU’s success in 2025. The Tigers will need consistent and high-level play from their quarterback, whether it’s returning starter Jayden Daniels or another emerging talent. A strong quarterback performance in big games, particularly against Alabama, will be crucial.
2. Defensive Improvement – LSU’s defense has shown promise in recent years, but it has often been inconsistent. To take down a high-powered team like Alabama, LSU will need to shore up its defense and ensure it can stop the Tide’s explosive offense. The defensive line and secondary will need to be at their best.
3. Consistency in Big Games – One of the issues LSU has faced under Kelly is consistency in big matchups. In 2023, the Tigers were able to beat strong teams like Mississippi State and Ole Miss but faltered against top-tier opponents like Alabama. To truly make the 2025 season a statement year, LSU will need to perform at a high level in all its big games.