Kirk Herbstreit considers high expectations for Brian Kelly, LSU

The pressure is on LSU and Brian Kelly entering this season, but ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit believes the Tigers have what it takes to deliver. Kelly led the Tigers to a 10-4 finish, SEC West title and win against Alabama in his inaugural season, and now fans have their sights set high.

Herbstreit joined JD PicKell at the On3 NIL Elite Series in Nashville, where he said the high expectations are only “natural” given the program’s history. LSU’s past three coaches — Nick Saban, Les Miles and Ed Orgeron — all delivered a national championship to Baton Rouge, and now Kelly is expected to do the same.

The Tigers will start off the season with a big test immediately, as they face Florida State, another team with high 2023 expectations, in Week 1.

“You’ve got Florida State in Week 1,” Herbstreit said. “Probably the most anticipated game other than (Deion Sanders) and what he’s doing. When you beat Alabama and you really outkick your coverage on what the expectations were, I feel like, you’re at LSU. The history of what the coaches have done with Coach O and Les Miles, it’s pretty natural.”

Still, Herbstreit believes if anyone can handle that type of pressure at LSU, it’s Kelly. The coach was already in the spotlight for 12 years at Notre Dame, and didn’t seem fazed at all in leading the Fighting Irish to a 113-40 record and two College Football Playoffs in that span.

“I think he’s built for it,” Herbstreit said. “Can you imagine being the head coach at Notre Dame as long as he did? He’s dealt with everything. So I think he’ll be fine. LSU’s got some players. If they win that first game against Florida State, they’ll be dangerous.”

Further strengthening LSU’s chances of success in 2023 is the fact that starting quarterback Jayden Daniels and his top receiver, Malik Nabers, return. The pair connected 72 times for 1,017 yards and three touchdowns in 2022.

The preseason expectations are certainly a complete 180 from last season, when Kelly was taking over for Orgeron after the Tigers went a combined 11-12 the two seasons prior. Now, thanks to what Kelly did in his first year, an SEC Championship and College Football Playoff are on the agenda.

The Tigers face a tough road to get there, as they must make it through the SEC unscathed in addition to opening the season against the Seminoles. But with Kelly as their leader, there is belief they can get it done.