Clay Travis from OutKick argues that Week 13 was detrimental to LSU head coach Brian Kelly’s reputation, despite his team’s 24-17 victory over Vanderbilt. Travis believes that the way Oklahoma’s defense stifled Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe highlighted Kelly’s struggles against him.
On November 9, Kelly’s defense allowed Milroe to run for 185 yards, while other teams have forced him to rely on his passing abilities. Travis expressed this sentiment on Twitter, stating that LSU fans should be frustrated with Kelly after watching Milroe’s zero rushing yards against Oklahoma, especially after two weeks of preparation.
In a more positive turn, Kelly’s team secured a crucial victory during their penultimate home game of the season, especially after losing 5-star quarterback recruit Bryce Underwood to Michigan, his home-state school. Kelly managed to maintain team focus despite the setback on the recruiting front. “You’re disappointed because you’ve put many years into recruiting. But it really didn’t affect the core of what we wanted to accomplish, which was to finish this football game,” Kelly told reporters after the match.
Looking ahead to Week 14, Kelly’s prospects against a resurgent Oklahoma appear uncertain, and his long-term security as head coach is increasingly in question. Failing to finish strong could jeopardize his position, although it’s unlikely he will be dismissed unless recruiting collapses in 2025.
