Legendary former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron is convinced that Brian Kelly won't be spared from the hot seat pressure in 2025 if he doesn't figure out a way to translate having one of the best QBs in college football in Garrett Nussmeier to a winning season.
"I just know the expectations at LSU are number one or nothing. I mean, LSU, they expect you to win the national championship. Now they don't expect you to win it every year, but Coach Saban won it in his third year. Les Miles won it in his third year. And I won it in my third year. So the expectations are high there," Orgeron warned Kelly during his appearance on XL Primetime on Jacksonville Sports Radio.
A silver lining amid the pressure is Nussmeier's stellar performance the previous season as the MVP of the Texas Bowl.
The Sporting News's Bill Bender ranks Nussmeier the fourth-best QB in college football heading into the 2025 season, a big plus for Kelly.
"I think he's got a really good team. He's got a really good quarterback in Garrett Nussmeier. He's got a tough opener at Clemson. So I think that the expectations bring on a lot of pressure, especially when you haven't won a championship yet," Orgeron continued, showing a bit of optimism on Kelly pulling it off.
Kelly pulling off one of the top recruiting classes of 2025 won't hold much credit if he can't give the long-waiting fans a national championship, or at least a College Football Playoff berth.
Making matters worse is the Tigers' season opener, their toughest out, against Clemson. The result of that showdown will set the tone for the season.