Paul Finebaum’s Take: Are the LSU Tigers a College Football Playoff Team in 2025
As college football gears up for another thrilling season, one of the most debated topics is the future of teams that have the potential to contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP). Among the teams generating significant buzz is LSU, a program that has been a powerhouse in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) for years. Under the leadership of head coach Brian Kelly, LSU is aiming to return to the upper echelon of college football and make a serious run at a CFP spot in 2025. But the question remains: can the Tigers make it to the College Football Playoff in 2025? Paul Finebaum, a respected voice in college football commentary, has weighed in on the topic, providing a balanced perspective on the challenges and opportunities that LSU will face in the coming season.
The State of LSU Football: A Quick Overview
Before diving into the specifics of the College Football Playoff conversation, it’s important to assess the current state of LSU football. The Tigers have historically been one of the most successful programs in college football, with multiple national championships, SEC titles, and an impressive list of NFL talent emerging from Baton Rouge. LSU’s rich history, particularly its 2019 national championship season under Coach Ed Orgeron, has made the program a perennial contender in the SEC.
However, in recent years, LSU has gone through a period of transition. After the departure of Orgeron, Brian Kelly took over as head coach in 2022, and while his first two seasons were filled with promise, the program is still in a phase of rebuilding and adjusting to Kelly’s philosophy and style of play. Kelly, a seasoned coach with a successful track record at Notre Dame, was brought in to restore LSU to national prominence and elevate the Tigers back into College Football Playoff contention.
Despite some early struggles, Kelly’s tenure at LSU has shown potential. The Tigers made a strong push in the 2023 season, securing key wins and showing that they could compete with some of the top teams in the nation. However, the SEC is one of the most competitive conferences in college football, and LSU’s road to the CFP is far from easy.
The SEC Landscape and LSU’s Path to the Playoff
One of the biggest hurdles for LSU in its pursuit of the College Football Playoff is the formidable competition within the SEC. The SEC is home to some of the most dominant programs in the country, including Alabama, Georgia, and now Texas, which is set to join the conference. Each of these teams consistently recruits at a high level and has a tradition of success, making it difficult for any program to break through and secure a playoff spot.
Alabama, under Nick Saban, has been the gold standard of SEC football for over a decade. Even with the occasional down year, the Crimson Tide are always a threat to make the College Football Playoff. Georgia, fresh off back-to-back national championships, has emerged as a dominant force in the conference, with a talented roster and a highly effective coaching staff. These two programs will be in the hunt for CFP spots again in 2025, making the competition for a top-four finish in the conference extremely fierce.
However, LSU has proven in recent years that it can hang with the best in the SEC. The Tigers are coming off a strong showing in 2023, where they played competitive football against some of the conference’s top teams. Their wins over Auburn, Ole Miss, and Arkansas were significant, and they gave Georgia a tough test in the SEC Championship Game. If the Tigers can continue to build on this momentum, they’ll be in the conversation for a CFP spot.
One of the keys to LSU’s success in 2025 will be how well they can handle the tough SEC schedule. Every year, the Tigers are tasked with playing in one of the most grueling divisions in college football. They’ll need to avoid slip-ups against teams like Mississippi State, Kentucky, and Texas A&M while also stepping up their game against elite teams like Alabama, Georgia, and Texas. LSU’s ability to manage its regular-season schedule and pick up signature wins will be crucial in determining whether they have a legitimate path to the College Football Playoff.
Key Players and Position Groups: Who Will Lead LSU in 2025?
In order for LSU to make a serious run at the College Football Playoff in 2025, they will need key players to step up and perform at a high level. As of now, several players and position groups stand out as crucial to the team’s success.
Quarterback: Jayden Daniels’ Development
One of the most important positions for any team with playoff aspirations is quarterback, and LSU is fortunate to have a dynamic talent under center in Jayden Daniels. The senior quarterback, who transferred from Arizona State, was impressive during his first season at LSU in 2023, showing off his dual-threat ability and ability to make plays both with his arm and his legs. Daniels accounted for over 3,000 yards of total offense in 2023 and played a pivotal role in LSU’s offensive success.
Heading into 2025, Daniels will need to continue to develop as a passer while maintaining his ability to make plays with his legs. If he can improve his consistency in the passing game and take more control of the offense, LSU will have a legitimate shot at making a playoff run. Daniels’ leadership and experience will be key, as the Tigers will rely on him to guide them through a tough SEC schedule.
Wide Receiver: Malik Nabers and Others
Another area where LSU will need to shine in 2025 is at the wide receiver position. Malik Nabers, one of the most talented receivers in the SEC, will be a key player for the Tigers. Nabers has shown flashes of brilliance during his career at LSU, and if he can stay healthy and continue to develop chemistry with Daniels, he has the potential to be one of the top wide receivers in college football in 2025.
In addition to Nabers, LSU will need other receivers to step up and contribute. The depth at the wide receiver position is crucial for a team looking to make a playoff run, and LSU will need to have multiple playmakers capable of making big catches when it counts. Players like Kayshon Boutte and Jack Bech will need to be reliable targets in the passing game to complement Nabers’ playmaking ability.
Defense: The Heart of LSU’s Success
LSU has long been known for its tough, physical defense, and this will be a key component of the Tigers’ success in 2025. Under defensive coordinator Matt House, the LSU defense has been solid, but the team will need to improve in several areas to become a true playoff contender. The defensive line will be a strength, with talented pass rushers and disruptive players who can cause problems for opposing quarterbacks. Additionally, the linebacker corps, led by players like Greg Penn III and Harold Perkins Jr., will be crucial in stopping the run and providing support in coverage.
LSU’s secondary will need to show significant improvement if the Tigers are to make a playoff run. The Tigers have had some struggles in the past with consistency in the secondary, and this year, they’ll need to develop a shutdown unit that can neutralize the explosive passing games of teams like Alabama and Ole Miss. If LSU can tighten up in the secondary and continue to be aggressive up front, they’ll have one of the most balanced defenses in the SEC.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
The road to the College Football Playoff in 2025 is filled with challenges for LSU, but it’s not impossible. The Tigers’ schedule is daunting, as it always is in the SEC, but there are plenty of opportunities for signature wins. If LSU can take care of business in the regular season and secure victories over top-ranked opponents, they’ll put themselves in a strong position to earn a playoff spot.
The Tigers’ toughest tests will likely come against Alabama, Georgia, and Texas, all of whom are expected to be top teams in 2025. If LSU can find a way to win at least one or two of those games, they’ll significantly enhance their playoff hopes. Additionally, the SEC Championship Game will be an important factor—if LSU can make it to that game with one or two losses and knock off an undefeated team, their chances of making the playoff will increase dramatically.
Is LSU a Playoff Team in 2025?
So, are the LSU Tigers a College Football Playoff team in 2025? According to Paul Finebaum and many others, they certainly have the potential to be. With a talented quarterback like Jayden Daniels, explosive playmakers at wide receiver, and a defense that is capable of being one of the best in the SEC, LSU has all the ingredients necessary for a successful season. However, the Tigers will need to find consistency, avoid injuries, and rise to the occasion in the toughest conference in college football. If they can do that, LSU will be a strong contender for a spot in the 2025 College Football Playoff.
