We thought Brian Kelly would finally take off at LSU this year. But ahead of Week 9, the Tigers are barely hanging onto their playoff hopes. The Tigers have a must-win game next Saturday, against the No. 3 Aggies. However, Garrett Nussmeier and Co. will have to dodge a lot of threats to get this one in the bag.

Kelly told reporters recently that he wants LSU to play “mistake-free” against Texas A&M. But given how things are panning out for the rivalry clash, that might not be possible. Brian Kelly is already looking at impending doom. The Vanderbilt loss has put more pressure on LSU to win the next two to still have a shot at the playoffs. Joel Klatt, in an October 23 episode of his show, talked about LSU entering this game talented, but they will be “backed into a corner” by Texas A&M.

That’s because an already injury-ridden O-line lost star left tackle Tyree Adams as well. And, that line will be facing Cashius Howell: the SEC leader in sacks (8) and pressures (32). LSU fans will know that protection around Garrett Nussmeier is already hanging together by a thread. And with Adams gone, the QB will pretty much be left alone to fight for his life. “If LSU cannot run the football effectively, Howell will have the ability to have a one-way go, right? Pin-your-ear-back style of pass rush against Garrett Nussmeier. And that is not a situation that’s going to benefit LSU,” Klatt said.

The rushing attack from LSU, simply put, is one of the worst in the SEC. The Tigers are only hauling in 112.9 rushing yards per game, which shows how ineffective LSU has become on the ground. The Ole Miss game really pried the problem areas open for the world to see. And, of course, the LSU offensive line has done very little in protecting its QB1. Nussmeier is at an 18.4% pressure-to-sack rate so far into the season. That’s double of what he faced last year (9.8%). Nussmeier tried to make it work against the Commodores, but failed despite his best efforts.

Tyree Adams was replaced by DJ Chester against Vanderbilt, but he was not up to par. He gave up 3 pressures and one sack, which costed LSU that drive. Chester’s earned a PFF grade of 49.9, among the worst in the squad. He also had the second most pressures of the O-line against the Commodores. The Aggies, led by Mike Elko will make every use of this gaping hole in the LSU offense. But that is not the only problem area Brian Kelly has to take care of ahead of the clash.

Joel Klatt warns Kelly of Marcel Reed

The one unit that helped save Kelly’s face all season long was the defense. But that too fell apart against a Vanderbilt that has become a force to be reckoned with. Klatt warned of the same position that enabled the defense to take that beating. “Vanderbilt, Diego Pavia got after him with his athleticism and playmaking ability. And now you face Marcel Reed, who’s a similar style player,” he said.

“Maybe not Pavia and his creativity, but certainly a player that can impact the game as a threat outside of the pocket,” Klatt added. Reed comes off of an Arkansas game that Elko regards is the QB’s best. He went 23-of-32 on passing, threw for a commanding 230 yards, and also added 55 yards on the ground for 6 carries. Reed also scored thrice passing and once rushing. His heroics in Week 8 have bumped him up to the No. 4 spot on the Heisman odds too. Texas A&M is loaded on other fronts as well. “We know this A&M can run the football. They can throw the football,” Klatt said.

“When I think about a score, I just think about this matchup in almost every phase, the advantage lies with Texas A&M,” Klatt added. Mike Elko already won the last time he faced off against Kelly. The Aggies enter as a favorite in this game, and look made for business in almost every department. Brian Kelly, on the other hand, is looking for just a shot at the playoffs and be able to coach another year at Baton Rouge.