Mike Norvell, Luke Fickell, Hugh Freeze, and Dave Doeren are some of the names, most likely would have sleepless nights before their upcoming CFB game. For one, all the names are under heavy scrutiny owing to piling losses in the 2025 season, while some, like Dave Doeren, are outrightly testing NC State’s patience in his 13th season. However, apart from all these names, one SEC head coach will have the highest scrutiny going into the next game, according to Paul Finebaum.

Paul Finebaum appeared on ESPN’s CFB podcast with Mike Greenberg and answered whether the Texas A&M game on 25th Oct can be the last for Kelly. “Could Brian Kelly be coaching for his job this weekend?” asked Greenberg. Paul Finebaum, despite predicting the game could knock LSU from playoff contention, didn’t outline it be the most critical game for Kelly yet.

“Greeny, if the callers to our show yesterday had a vote, he would be coaching for his job, but they do not yet. This is not the most critical game of the year. Now, this game could knock him out of the playoffs. And remember, eight weeks ago, we were talking about the CFP or bust for Brian Kelly. This would be loss number three, but it’s also an opportunity to beat a top-three team at home in front of those very, very disgruntled fans,” said Paul Finebaum.

Brian Kelly signed a 10-year contract in 2021 and earns $9.4 million per year. His $53 million buyout complicates things for the team, since it won’t be easy to fire him. However, considering that James Franklin, with $48 million buyout, was fired recently from Penn State. It won’t be a stretch to say that LSU could come to a similar decision. Moreover, Kelly’s performance this season hasn’t bolstered his case either.

Brian Kelly’s LSU is 5-2 in the season and has its playoff hopes alive for now. The team did start its season on a high note after defeating Clemson and Florida initially. However, Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss finally brought in a major test, which Brian Kelly failed. However, the most concerning loss is undoubtedly againt Vanderbilt (31-24) recently on the road. That surely will bring out ‘fire Kelly’ chants at Death Valley in the next game. But, if Texas A&M isn’t the critical game for Kelly’s job, then which is?

Paul Finebaum outlines the two games most critical for Brian Kelly

Whether Brian Kelly wins the game against Texas A&M or not will have a bigger implication on the team’s playoff hopes. So, it would be unlikely that with a 9-3 schedule, Brian Kelly makes the playoffs. However, despite that, the Alabama game on 7th November and the Oklahoma game on 29th November will have a bigger bearing on Brian Kelly’s fate.

Paul Finebaum predicted the discourse around Brian Kelly to be less noisy if the team loses against the Aggies. But a loss against Oklahoma or Alabama? It surely will bring out the worst from the fans. The result then would be Brian Kelly packing his bags from Baton Rouge. “ The problem for Brian Kelly after this weekend is two weeks from now at Alabama and then later in the season at Oklahoma. Should he lose this game and lose those two, I don’t see him having a path to coming back next year,” said Finebaum. The verdict?

LSU fans haven’t seen any silverware under Brian Kelly. That’s big, considering the team has seen the iconic 2019 Natty season. Patience then runs thin right now in Baton Rouge. So, without going undefeated in the season further on, it would be almost impossible to see Kelly keeping his job. No matter if that costs the program a whopping $53 million.