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LSU football legend Marcus Spears makes bolds statement about Brian Kelly's future

LSU football legend Marcus Spears makes bolds statement about Brian Kelly's future

USA Today5 hours ago
Expectations are high for LSU football in 2025. And with high expectations comes pressure. LSU head coach Brian Kelly is entering year four with the program. His tenure so far includes two 10-win seasons, but he's yet to lead LSU to a College Football Playoff.
LSU signed the No. 1-ranked transfer class and retained quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. This is a talented roster and it was good enough to earn LSU a top-10 ranking in the initial coaches' poll.
The hype train is rolling and former LSU football star Marcus Spears knows what that means for Kelly.
"If you don't win big, if you're Brian Kelly, this fan base is done. And I'm just telling you, the wins and the success and all of the things, going to the SEC championship, your first year was great, but people still didn't feel like that was a big time accomplishment based on how it happened," Marcus Spears said.
Spears referred to 2022, where LSU won the SEC West but was out of the playoff discussion thanks to a 9-3 regular season record.
"This year, you see all of the transfers, you see the recruiting class, Garrett Nussmeier in the preseason Heisman conversation," Spears said, "All of those things in the past at LSU has aligned with them having big seasons."
Spears said if LSU doesn't make the playoff, the fan base "is going to turn quickly on Brian Kelly."
Spears' comments won't be news to Kelly. Every man who has held the head coaching position at LSU is familiar with the pressure. Ed Orgeron didn't shy away from talking about it during his tenure. Neither has Kelly.
What are LSU football's odds of making the College Football Playoff?
BetMGM odds as of Tuesday, August 5.
LSU to make the College Football Playoff
LSU football 2025 schedule
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In NCAA streamlining, the big conferences get more power, but not everything they wanted
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In NCAA streamlining, the big conferences get more power, but not everything they wanted
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Texas football schedule: Every Longhorns opponent ranked in first US LBM Coaches Poll
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