Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers must still be nursing their wound after the Vanderbilt Commodores left them with one of the deepest gashes in Nashville. Not even a week is left for them to heal before they face off against Texas A&M this weekend, October 25. But something must catalyze the healing process for Kelly and co. Before the Tigers clash against the Aggies in a do-or-die this Saturday, the latest injury report on defensive tackle Bernard Gooden will be a big relief for HC Kelly.

“New: LSU starting DT Bernard Gooden didn’t play in a loss to Vanderbilt, but returned to practice this week,” On3 Sports’ LSU beat reporter Shea Dixon informed. “On Wednesday night, he was listed as questionable on the SEC Injury Report.”

Notably, Gooden, a senior defensive end, bruised his collarbone two weeks ago against South Carolina.

“Gooden practiced yesterday. He didn’t get involved in everything, but we wanted to bring him along slowly so he got some individual, got some team reps. The report this morning was he felt good,” Kelly sounded all confident on the weekly SEC Coaches Teleconference, finding some silver lining. Gooden is making small strides and is being gradually reintroduced to the fold. Kelly felt stunted as he could not make him play last week against Vanderbilt.

This season, the 6-foot-1, 270-pound star has racked up 13 total tackles, three for loss, and 1 1/2 sacks while playing five of six games. Kelly had high expectations for Gooden, who transferred to LSU from South Florida this offseason and became one of the top players in the Tigers’ defense. To fill the void, Kelly had counted on Dominick McKinley as one starting defensive tackle, along with a few backups.  

Beyond McKinley’s 39 snaps, senior Jacobian Guillory and sophomore Ahmad Breaux handled the bulk of the workload, logging 35 and 39 snaps, respectively. True freshman Buddy Mathis chipped in with 19, while junior Shone Washington saw action on seven plays. Meanwhile, things are a bit sensitive in Kelly’s camp. 

Offensive left tackle Tyree Adams is out. The 6-foot-7, 310-pound starting left tackle sprained his ankle against Vanderbilt in the first quarter. Later on, he was spotted in casual clothes with crutches and a boot on his right leg. When it comes to Gooden, Kelly still can’t be 100% sure of his return, too, as he sits as “questionable.” In case he is deemed fit, will Gooden be enough to keep Kelly’s boat sailing as they fight in the rough sea against Texas A&M? This Saturday is the ultimatum for both Kelly and his boys.

Brian Kelly’s playoff hopes hang by a thread

With the College Football Playoff race being the ultimate goal, how far can Kelly and Co. ride? For them to be in the race, they will have to run the table. This Saturday calls for a match-up in Death Valley. And David Pollack already sounds off about their playoff luck. He no longer sees a path for Kelly’s squad to make the four-team field.

“I jumped on the same train. I think it’s because you got LSU that now the defense joined the party not playing well. But A&M, Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma — I just don’t see them getting in against that upcoming schedule,” said the veteran analyst. Not the right time for Kelly’s offense and defense to get derailed. LSU ranks just 84th nationally in total offense at 366.3 yards per game. Kelly’s defense has struggled most against mobile quarterbacks like Trinidad Chambliss and Diego Pavia.

And guess what makes the LSU head coach’s seat hotter? He made a $20 million bet, which is their operating budget for the 2025 season. As LSU insider Preston Guy came with a bitter pill to swallow, “A lot of people are looking at this and saying, well, ‘He’s wasting $20 million of talent right now on the field.’ A lot of people believe in this 85. I believe this 85-player roster is good enough to be in a 12-team playoff.”

Time is running out for Brian Kelly to fix things before the Texas A&M face-off. With a shaky coaching staff, an injury-riddled roster, and a job hanging by a thread, Kelly has his hands full.