Paul Finebaum, Heather Dinich evaluate pressure on Brian Kelly to lead LSU to College Football Playoff

Pressure is on for LSU despite winning nine-plus games in each of their three seasons so far under Brian Kelly, with expectations there for the Tigers to play for the SEC and make the College Football Playoff. Now, less than two months out from kickoff in Death Valley, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum and Heather Dinich think they’ll have some of that success this fall.

Finebaum and Dinich talked about LSU during a segment on ‘Get Up’ on Tuesday morning. That started with Dinich taking the over on their win-total of 8.5, despite thinking they’ll start at 0-1, and saying, with that, she thinks the Tigers could be one of the at-larges in the CFP based on what she’s expecting from this season in Baton Rouge.

“I’m going to go more for LSU. But, I say that knowing that I think they’re going to lose to Clemson in the season opener,” said Dinich. “Look, this defense has to get better. But, I can tell you, at SEC Spring Meetings in Destin, Florida recently, Brian Kelly says this might be the best team that he’s had. So, I would look for LSU to be an at-large bid in the College Football Playoff.”

Again, the win-total could have some value at 8.5 with LSU going 10-4, 10-3, and 9-4 in the past three seasons. However, despite that winning percentage of .725 with an overall record of 29-11, the Tigers want more than that having lost some key games like all of their openers so far, been blown out in the 2022 SEC Championship, and not making the CFP under Kelly.

That’s where Finebaum came in to discuss if this season is make-or-break in the bayou for Kelly. He does think a playoff spot is needed, and something he does expect them to reach this year in the postseason, but noted the support that Kelly does have from the Tigers to this point.

“I think he needs to make the playoffs but, remember, this is Brian Kelly. This isn’t just some coach you picked off the street. He has an impeccable resumé, he’s recruiting at an elite status and that’s why he has support down there in spite of a shaky season,” said Finebaum. “But, I agree with Heather for the first time in this entire conversation. I think LSU will get to the playoffs – and Brian Kelly was boasting a lot (in Destin).”

LSU has done well under Kelly. They could now take the next step to not just winning several games but making a return to the playoff for the first time since their lone appearance, but a title-winning one at that, in 2019.