Two Truths & A Lie: LSU vs. Texas A&M

By Chris Marler

It was ugly, it was embarrassing and it may have been a tipping point for the Brian Kelly era in Baton Rouge. Here’s two truths and a lie following Texas A&M’s dominant 49-25 win over LSU. 

Truth No. 1 – Changes have to be made.

I’m not ready to say LSU needs to pony up $53 million to buy out Brian Kelly. That has less to do with my belief in Kelly so far and more to do with LSU’s current financial situation, the cost of such a move just isn’t realistic right now. Now, if this was a Texas Tech situation and there was a billionaire in the booster base then maybe that’s a different story.

Last night, and the season, ultimately falls on the head coach. Brian Kelly knows that, too. Last night was yet another weekly reminder of just how staggering the regression has been in certain areas of this team this season.

It was almost inevitable that the offensive line would struggle after losing four starters to the NFL, and this year’s injury-plagued unit has been objectively poor throughout. Whether that is a coaching change for the position unit or a complete retooling of the line for the final four games, something has to happen. 

“What are you doing, Joe? You can’t throw that with no f—ing time outs…”

Brian Kelly was not happy with the 3rd down pass in the flat. pic.twitter.com/flK8FWt09V

— Matt Moscona (@MattMoscona) October 26, 2025

Blaming or questioning play calling is such a cliche in the world of college football. Most of it is an overreaction from fans, but last night didn’t feel like an overreaction. Even Brian Kelly seemed furious with some of the decisions that offensive coordinator Joe Sloan made.

The head coach needs to show a clear intent to change, and that likely starts with making staff adjustments in the near future.

Truth No. 2 – This season has been nothing short of a complete failure.

It would usually feel premature and a bit unfair to throw the towel in on the current season with four games left, but consider the towel thrown. 

LSU spent $18 million on this roster, and it’s by far the most talented one Brian Kelly has had since he arrived in Baton Rouge. They brought in the nation’s No. 2 transfer portal class, featuring six of the top 35 players overall, along with three straight top-10 high school recruiting classes. Their 73% blue-chip ratio ranks seventh nationally.

$100 million Coach

$18 million roster

5th year senior QB

3 losses before November

Criminal

— Drunk Blake Baker (@DrunkCoachBaker) October 26, 2025

Put all that together and LSU came into this season with the sixth best team talent composite ranking in the country, with a whopping 62 four and five star recruits. That’s more than Texas, Oregon and almost every other school in America. 

To be 5-3 going into the final month of the season is unacceptable. There have been a lot of injuries to key players, the schedule has been extremely tough and all three losses have been to top-10 teams.

That doesn’t matter. We are past the point of excuses. 

The Lie – This isn’t fixable. 

The biggest concern I have looking at this thing from a big picture standpoint is two fold. One, how do you go back to the same boosters that helped financially build this year’s roster and ask for more money with a promise that it will somehow change? And two, who is going to play quarterback on next year’s team? 

The good news is that in today’s college football landscape, the transfer portal can help alleviate immediate issues. You’re probably thinking, “Well, LSU already had a top transfer portal ranking last year.” You’re not wrong, but the reality is that the transfer portal can serve as an instant remedy for several of LSU’s current issues.

#LSU fans are BEGGING Lamar Brown to stay pic.twitter.com/b8JPzh8atX

— The Verdin Verdict (@verdinverdict) October 26, 2025

This is still LSU, and there is still a ton of talent on this year’s team. One of the most important factors for championship programs is retention. Keeping the core group of elite young players on this roster and out of the portal will be key. Finding a quarterback will be essential. The final piece of the puzzle will be keeping this recruiting class together and locking down the state, as Louisiana’s 2026 and 2027 prospects are among the most elite and talent-rich in years.

Now, can Brian Kelly manage to do those things? We will see.