Paul Finebaum does not see any reason to believe in LSU in 2024

After two quality seasons, LSU hopes this year, their third under Brian Kelly, could be the one where they take the next step from good to great again. However, Paul Finebaum doesn’t see why that would be the case for them.

Finebaum spoke about the Tigers during an appearance on ‘GoJo and Golic’ on Friday. Simply put, he just isn’t that big of a believer in them for this season.

“You know, I don’t see any reason why they should be that great this year,” said Finebaum. “I mean I think they’re good.”

Much of that opinion has to do with what the defense was a year ago. While they won 10 games again and had the No. 1 offense in the nation, their defense finished in 82nd after allowing 28 per game, including 47.3 in their three losses.

LSU has since replaced Matt House with a new defensive coordinator in Blake Baker. Still, Finebaum wants to see improvement first, especially in how they now utilize one of their best players, before he goes any further with them.

“That defense last year was just patently embarrassing. I admire Brian a great deal but I blame him. I mean he’s the one that chose their coordinator,” said Finebaum. “He stuck with another assistant that, frankly, didn’t understand what he was doing. I mean, for the life of me, I have yet to figure out how they’ve handled Harold Perkins, who is just a defining player. They look like they just said, ‘How can we screw this guy up and lose (three) games?'”

Kelly’s 20-7 record is one of the better overall marks in the conference and the nation over the last two years. Even so, it’s not necessarily up to LSU’s standards as a program.

That makes 2024 all the more important, especially with what they do in the opener and during the regular season. The Tigers don’t want to play from behind again in a playoff race that’s now more open than ever.

“I think Brian Kelly has to get by the first game. I mean I know that sounds like I’m just graduating from school and giving you the most obvious take in the world. But, if he doesn’t, suddenly, the pressure is going to intensify,” said Finebaum. “We have a couple of Notre Dame fans who call our show every day. They are laying in wait for a misstep from Brian Kelly.”

Again, LSU has still been performing as one of the better teams in the country so far under Kelly. It’s just still not enough, though, with Finebaum watching them this year after putting a lower ceiling on it earlier today.