LSU Tigers and Brian Kelly Face Three Key Challenges on the Road to the College Football Playoff.

The LSU Tigers have long been a powerhouse in college football, and under the leadership of head coach Brian Kelly, the program has aspirations of returning to the pinnacle of the sport. After a promising debut season for Kelly in 2022, the Tigers are poised for even greater success in 2023. With a talented roster and high expectations, the road to the College Football Playoff (CFP) is within reach. However, there are key factors that Kelly and the Tigers will need to address if they want to make that leap into the top four.

As one of the premier programs in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), LSU is no stranger to high-pressure situations. With perennial powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia, and now even Tennessee vying for supremacy in the conference, the road to the CFP is never easy. Yet, despite these formidable challenges, LSU has the tools to succeed. In order to make a serious push for the CFP, there are three primary areas that Coach Kelly and his staff must address: quarterback play, defensive consistency, and offensive line depth.

1. Quarterback Play: Finding the Right Leader

A college football team’s success often begins with the quarterback. As the leader of the offense, the quarterback must manage the game, execute the playbook, and maintain poise under pressure. For LSU, the quarterback position will be a key factor in determining whether or not they can reach the College Football Playoff in 2023.

In 2022, LSU had Jayden Daniels, a transfer from Arizona State, leading the offense. Daniels brought mobility and a strong arm to the team, and he proved himself as a dual-threat quarterback. However, while Daniels showcased flashes of brilliance, his consistency remained an issue. He had his moments, but his ability to consistently produce at a high level against top-tier SEC defenses will be crucial to LSU’s success in 2023.

One of the main areas of improvement for Daniels heading into this season will be his decision-making. He must take advantage of his athleticism and playmaking ability while avoiding the turnovers that plagued him at times last year. Moreover, he needs to develop a better rapport with his wide receivers, including rising stars like Kayshon Boutte and Jack Bech, who will be crucial to the success of the offense. The chemistry between Daniels and the receiving corps will be essential in the high-stakes SEC games.

Coach Kelly’s offensive system is designed to help quarterbacks thrive, but it will require Daniels to step up his game. If LSU is going to compete with the top teams in the country, it will need elite quarterback play. Daniels has the potential, but he must deliver week in and week out if LSU wants to make the CFP.

2. Defensive Consistency: Securing the Ground Game

While the offense will be a focal point of LSU’s push for the College Football Playoff, the defense will play an equally important role. Historically, LSU has been known for its dominant defenses, and in order to take the next step, Coach Kelly’s defense must become more consistent in key areas.

In 2022, LSU’s defense showed flashes of greatness but also had its struggles, particularly in the secondary. The Tigers gave up a concerning number of big plays in the passing game, especially against high-powered offenses like Tennessee and Alabama. As LSU prepares for another challenging season in the SEC, it will need to shore up its pass defense to compete at the highest level.

Defensive coordinator Matt House has made strides to address this issue by recruiting talent, including elite cornerback and safety prospects. However, LSU’s defense needs to develop more depth and a better pass rush to keep opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable. The return of Harold Perkins Jr., one of the top defensive talents in the country, provides a significant boost. Perkins’ ability to disrupt plays and create turnovers will be pivotal in helping LSU’s defense stay competitive.

At linebacker and defensive line, LSU is loaded with talent. However, defensive consistency across all levels is essential. In the trenches, LSU will need to dominate the line of scrimmage, stopping the run and putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The defensive backs, while talented, must step up and prevent big plays from becoming the norm in SEC play.

LSU’s defense also needs to find ways to stop elite running backs in the SEC, particularly as they face teams like Georgia and Alabama. If LSU can lock down the run game and prevent explosive passing plays, it will be in a much better position to compete for the College Football Playoff.

3. Offensive Line Depth: The Key to LSU’s Offensive Success

While much attention is paid to the skill positions, the play of the offensive line is often what separates championship contenders from teams that fall short. For LSU to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff, it will need to address its offensive line depth and consistency.

In 2022, LSU’s offensive line had its ups and downs, particularly when it came to protecting the quarterback and establishing a consistent running game. For LSU to achieve CFP-level success, the offensive line must provide adequate protection for Jayden Daniels while also opening up running lanes for the Tigers’ running backs.

One of the key areas of focus will be pass protection. Daniels’ mobility is a huge asset, but the offensive line must give him enough time to make decisions in the pocket and avoid unnecessary pressure. The line must also be able to create push in the run game to establish a balanced offensive attack, especially in tough SEC matchups where running the football will be crucial.

To address these concerns, LSU has focused on recruiting offensive linemen capable of contributing immediately. However, the depth of the offensive line remains a question mark. Injuries or fatigue could expose vulnerabilities, and LSU will need its backups to be ready to step up if needed.

The improvement of starting tackles and interior linemen will be critical for the Tigers. If the offensive line can gel and improve its consistency, LSU will have the tools necessary to make a serious playoff push. Strong play from the offensive line will help the team both in the passing game and in establishing a reliable running attack.

The road to the College Football Playoff will be a challenging one for the LSU Tigers. With a competitive SEC, a stacked schedule, and the pressure of high expectations, Coach Brian Kelly has a lot to manage in his second year. However, by addressing three key factors—quarterback play, defensive consistency, and offensive line depth—LSU has the tools to make a legitimate run at the Playoff.

Quarterback play will be crucial to LSU’s offensive success, as Jayden Daniels needs to take the next step and deliver consistently against top-tier defenses. On the defensive side of the ball, LSU must shore up its secondary and continue to develop a ferocious pass rush. Finally, the offensive line needs to develop depth and consistency to protect the quarterback and create opportunities in the run game.

If LSU can address these key challenges, it will position itself to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff and potentially make a deep postseason run. Under the leadership of Brian Kelly, the Tigers are poised for success, and with the right adjustments, they could once again become one of the nation’s elite teams.