College football analyst says Ed Orgeron, LSU must beat UCLA in Week 1

The debate over LSU football coach Ed Orgeron’s job security has been a hot topic in recent months as he looks to rebound from a disappointing 2020 season. After a storybook national championship year in 2019, the LSU Tigers had their first season at or below .500 since 1999.

Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde is the latest to weigh in on the temperature of Orgeron’s seat, citing the importance of Week One.

The Tigers open their 2021 campaign on the road against UCLA, another team with a coach fighting for his job. The trip to the historic Rose Bowl will set the tone for LSU as it looks to rebound into 2019 form.

“[Forde] isn’t going to declare Orgeron in serious danger of being fired, but the Chizik parallel remains in play until Coach O does something to dismiss it,” Forde wrote in his Sports Illustrated column. “Orgeron is heading into his second season after a national title and coming off a bust of a 5–5 year. If things fall apart badly enough this year, a costly divorce is not out of the question at a place like LSU.”

Tigers quarterback Myles Brennan went down with an injury during the preseason, opening the door for Max Johnson to emerge as the offensive leader. Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. is the star of the show on defense, looking to duplicate his 2019 season which featured six interceptions. Eli Ricks emerged as a second corner last season. The team also adds Georgia transfer Major Burns and Clemson transfer Mike Jones to the starting lineup this season.

More comments on Ed Orgeron

Finebaum joined ESPN’s Keyshawn, JWill and Zubin to discuss which college football coaches will keep their job in 2021, including Ed Orgeron.

“It’s always 2019 for LSU fans, and part of that reason is that Orgeron just oozes confidence,” Finebaum said. “I think they’ll be good this year. The only thing that will get him are off-the-field problems combined with a mediocre season. He has off-the-field issues, but I think he’ll have a big year. I think they’ll win nine or 10 games, and I think the ‘Coach O. on the hot seat conversation’ needs to be tabled for another day.”

Orgeron is entering his fourth year as LSU’s head coach (excluding his stint as interim head coach in 2016). Over those four years LSU has a 39-12 record with two bowl wins and the national championship.