‘CFP or Bust’ designation for Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers ahead of the 2025 season
The LSU Tigers, a historically dominant program in college football, have set their sights on a return to glory under the leadership of head coach Brian Kelly as the 2025 season looms. Kelly, who took the reins of the program in 2022, has already made a significant impact in Baton Rouge, steering the Tigers to success in a competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC) landscape. However, as the 2025 season approaches, the pressure is mounting. For LSU and Kelly, the upcoming season is no longer about rebuilding or improving incrementally — it’s about contending for a national championship. It’s “CFP or Bust.”
The Stakes for LSU in 2025
The College Football Playoff (CFP) has become the ultimate destination for elite programs. While LSU has enjoyed considerable success over the years, including winning the national title in 2003 and the dominant 2019 season led by Joe Burrow, the journey to a national championship has been a turbulent one since then. In recent seasons, LSU has been inconsistent, fluctuating between highs and lows, but under Brian Kelly’s stewardship, the program seems to have found a steady path forward.
The 2025 season marks the point where Kelly’s vision must bear fruit in the form of tangible results. Following a strong 2023 season, where LSU finished with a 10-4 record and made it to the SEC Championship Game, 2025 should be the year when the Tigers are in prime position to compete for a CFP spot and, ultimately, a national championship.
This “CFP or Bust” designation is a reflection of LSU’s commitment to returning to the upper echelon of college football. Under Kelly, the program has made noticeable improvements in recruiting, player development, and scheme implementation. Yet, for LSU to take the next step and become a consistent contender for a national title, they must perform at the highest level. The 2025 season will be the litmus test for whether Kelly’s program has truly returned to championship-caliber status.
Brian Kelly’s Impact on LSU
When Brian Kelly was hired in 2022, many saw the move as a calculated step to revive LSU’s championship pedigree. Kelly, who had an established track record of success at Notre Dame, brought with him a wealth of experience. However, the transition from Notre Dame to LSU was not without its challenges. Kelly had to adapt to the brutal competition of the SEC, a conference where the level of talent is among the highest in the country.
Kelly’s first season at LSU was a mixed bag. Despite an up-and-down campaign that featured notable wins and some disappointing losses, he showed that his methodical approach and strong leadership could yield positive results in Baton Rouge. LSU’s 2022 season culminated in an impressive win in the Citrus Bowl, showcasing Kelly’s ability to rally his team to perform in big moments.
In 2023, Kelly built on that foundation. The Tigers improved significantly, finishing with a 10-4 record and making a trip to the SEC Championship Game, where they faced off against Georgia. Although LSU was defeated by a dominant Georgia team, their performance indicated they were capable of competing with the best the SEC had to offer. The development of quarterback Jayden Daniels into one of the conference’s top signal-callers was a major highlight, and the defense, while still a work in progress, showed flashes of elite potential.
Heading into 2025, Kelly has continued to build his roster through aggressive recruiting and smart player development. His ability to identify and develop talent, both on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, gives LSU a competitive edge. The program is on the cusp of returning to national prominence, but to do so, they must break through the final barrier: reaching the College Football Playoff.
The 2025 Roster: A Championship-Caliber Team?
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, LSU’s roster is stacked with talent. While the team lost several key contributors from previous years, including some veterans on defense and the offensive line, Kelly’s recruiting efforts have ensured that there is no lack of depth or talent.
One of the standout players for LSU in 2025 is quarterback Jayden Daniels. A dynamic dual-threat quarterback, Daniels has evolved into one of the most dangerous players in the SEC. His ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs has made him a nightmare for opposing defenses. If he can stay healthy and continue to progress in his decision-making, Daniels has the potential to lead LSU to a national title. His leadership and performance will be central to LSU’s CFP aspirations.
In addition to Daniels, LSU boasts a talented group of skill position players, including wide receiver Malik Nabers, who has emerged as one of the top receiving threats in the SEC. Nabers’ combination of speed, hands, and athleticism will make him a critical piece of LSU’s offense. The Tigers also have an impressive running back group that could feature one of the league’s best, providing balance to the offense and taking pressure off of Daniels to carry the entire load.
On the defensive side of the ball, LSU has several players who could emerge as stars in 2025. The defensive line, which has always been a strength for the Tigers, should continue to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. The linebacker corps, led by a few rising stars, will provide stability in the middle of the field, and the secondary, though young, has the potential to be among the best in the SEC.
The key for LSU in 2025 will be the continued development of their defense. While the offense is more than capable of putting up points, LSU’s championship hopes will ultimately rest on how well their defense can slow down high-powered SEC offenses, particularly those of teams like Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. LSU’s defensive coordinator, Matt House, will need to get the most out of his unit and find ways to stop the opposing teams’ elite playmakers.
The SEC Gauntlet
The Southeastern Conference remains the most competitive and physically demanding conference in college football, and LSU’s road to the CFP will go through some of the toughest teams in the nation. For LSU to make it to the CFP, they will need to navigate the SEC schedule without a slip-up.
The Tigers’ season begins with a difficult non-conference matchup, but their SEC slate is where the real challenge lies. Every year, LSU must face off against powerhouses such as Alabama, Georgia, and Texas A&M, each with its own set of challenges. Alabama, under Nick Saban, continues to be a perennial powerhouse, and Georgia, led by Kirby Smart, has emerged as the dominant team of the past few seasons, claiming multiple national championships.
LSU’s game against Alabama will be a crucial one, as it often determines who emerges as the SEC West champion. With the recent rise of teams like Ole Miss and Arkansas, the SEC West is as competitive as ever, and LSU will need to be at their best week in and week out.
The SEC Championship Game will likely be another major hurdle for LSU. If they can make it to Atlanta, they will almost certainly be facing Georgia or Alabama, two teams with strong CFP aspirations of their own. For LSU, the pressure will be on to show that they can compete with the best and secure their spot in the CFP.
Why 2025 is “CFP or Bust”
The 2025 season represents a critical juncture in LSU’s trajectory under Brian Kelly. While the Tigers have shown improvement in Kelly’s first three years, the time for gradual progress has passed. The LSU fanbase expects greatness, and the program’s tradition demands it.
In college football, success is ultimately measured by championships, and while Kelly’s tenure has certainly been an improvement from the Ed Orgeron era, LSU’s national title aspirations are firmly in the spotlight. Given the talent on the roster and the progress made in recruiting, anything short of a College Football Playoff berth — and, by extension, a legitimate shot at a national championship — will be seen as a failure.
This “CFP or Bust” designation is not just a reflection of the fanbase’s high expectations but also of the intense competition within the SEC. Teams like Alabama, Georgia, and even newcomers like Texas and Oklahoma in the future will continue to push LSU for supremacy. If Kelly wants to cement his legacy as a successful coach at LSU, 2025 must be the year the Tigers break through and claim their place among the college football elite.
Heading into the 2025 season, the LSU Tigers find themselves at a crossroads. Under Brian Kelly’s leadership, the program has made strides, but now the time has come to take the next step. With a talented roster, an experienced coaching staff, and a fanbase hungry for another national title, LSU’s goals are clear: reach the College Football Playoff and contend for a national championship.
In the cutthroat world of college football, especially within the SEC, mediocrity is not acceptable. For Brian Kelly and LSU, the 2025 season is about validation — proving that the Tigers are back among the college football elite. It is truly “CFP or Bust” for LSU in 2025. Anything less than a deep playoff run will be seen as a disappointment, and the pressure is on to make that goal a reality.
