Three years, three strikes, and Brian Kelly still ain’t made it to the big dance. Not even close. Another 9-4 season in the books, and Tigers fans are low-key starting to look around like, ‘Yo… did we really leave Coach O for this?’ The ghosts of playoff hopes past are officially renting space in Baton Rouge, and Kelly might want to keep that resume polished and LinkedIn updated. Because here’s the thing: it isn’t just about W’s anymore. It’s about rings, banners, and busting down that playoff door. And now? LSU fans want blood.
On April 22nd, SEC Mike and Cousin Shane pulled up on That SEC Podcast and didn’t hold back. Mike said, “I was on Paul Finebaum a couple weeks ago. I put LSU as a playoff team. If the SEC gets four in, LSU better be one of those four. If not, the whole thing’s a damn disaster.” SEC Mike was feeling it and kept the momentum going.
“But I’m not overly confident. I still—I reserve the right to change my mind on LSU. But as for right now, I think they’re on that edge. And I think Tennessee losing Nico. There may not be a team that benefits more in the SEC. I realize they don’t play Tennessee, but maybe they take that spot. There may not be a team that benefits more than LSU.” No cap. Now that’s not just a prediction—that’s a damn ultimatum. Pressure’s mounting, and Brian Kelly has nowhere left to hide.
The thing is, the SEC isn’t waiting for anyone. The conference is done leveling up with that new 12-team playoff system, and while Georgia, Texas and Bama (hopefully) stay top dogs, there’s a power vacuum brewing. Enter LSU. Or… maybe not. Because Tennessee’s little NIL love story with Nico Iamaleava just crashed and burned, and that ripple effect? It’s making waves all the way to Baton Rouge.
Nico wanted a bag—$4 million to be exact. Tennessee told him, “There’s no one that’s bigger than the Power T.” And just like that, the five-star QB dipped out to UCLA. Enter Joey Aguilar, the App State transfer who flipped from UCLA to Tennessee in less time than it takes to warm up ramen. Aguilar got some solid numbers with him, throwing 33 and 23 tuddies in the last 2 seasons. But the problem is, this isn’t the Mountain Belt or the Sun Belt, or whatever name they got. Tennessee lost pieces on both ends and is still trying to act like everything is sweet. They made the playoffs last year with Nico under center. This year? Joey Aguilar might be solid, but he ain’t balled out yet. With Nico gone, Tennessee’s playoff clout dipped a little, and suddenly, LSU’s playoff stock? Looking real tasty.
Meanwhile, Brian Kelly’s cooking. He’s stacking the offense like he’s building a Madden Ultimate Team. Nic Anderson from Oklahoma? 10 TDs as a freshman. Barion Brown? SEC record for most kick return TDs. And don’t sleep on 6-foot-7 tight end Trey’Dez Green, who’s looking like a red zone cheat code. All they need now? A quarterback to pop off like Jayden Daniels or Joe Burrow. And that’s where the new kingpin comes in: Garrett Nussmeier.
Garrett Nussmeier: Heisman 2025?
While the transfer portal was out here turning college football into a soap opera, Vegas was watching like a hawk—and Garrett Nussmeier just got a little richer in the Heisman stock market. FanDuel bumped the LSU QB’s odds from +900 to +800, tying him with Arch Manning for the favorite spot. Yeah, Nico dropped off a cliff to +8000 after his UCLA move, and even Joey Aguilar climbed up to +4500 just for hopping to Tennessee. But Nuss? He’s sitting pretty. Let’s run the numbers. Nussmeier threw for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 picks in 2024. He ranked second in the SEC in passing yards. The only knock? Turnovers. But if he trims that fat, Nuss could absolutely ride that Joe Burrow-Jayden Daniels blueprint.
Let’s not ignore the pattern either. LSU has been on some QB anime arc lately. Joe Burrow threw 16 touchdowns in his junior year, then exploded for 60 in his senior run, and won natty. Jayden Daniels? 17 tuddies before going nuclear with 40 and a Heisman in his senior year. This isn’t some happy accident—LSU quarterbacks got this weird glow-up curse. Nussmeier might be the next one to go Super Saiyan if he cuts down on those 12 picks from last season. That’s the one bump in his file. But if he locks in? Y’all better keep those cameras rolling.
FanDuel sees it. Vegas sees it. Even Brian Kelly sees it, and that’s why all eyes are on Nuss this year. He’s got the weapons, the scheme, and that “this my moment” energy. Anderson and Brown out wide, Green in the red zone—he ain’t hurting for options. The playbook just turned into a cheat code. Now it’s about decision-making. And if he channels that Burrow-Daniels leap? He might not just win the Heisman—he might drag Kelly out of the hot seat with him.
If there ever was a year for LSU to take that step, it was the 2023 season. The next best; 2025 season. Look, Tennessee’s wobbling, Kelly’s cornered, and Nussmeier’s locked in with Vegas backing him. Either they rise, or the whole damn thing burns. No more warmups. It’s playoff or pack-up time in Baton Rouge—and Nussmeier just might be the one to light the fuse.
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