It’s another make-or-break year for the LSU head coach. He came to Baton Rouge with big expectations, but with a 29-11 record over the past three years, it feels like he hasn’t really delivered on that promise. A 9-4 record isn’t exactly what the passionate fanbase was hoping for in 2024. Now, keeping that promise largely rests on the shoulders of Garrett Nussmeier, also known as the “Gumbo Gunslinger.” LSU has given him one of the deepest rosters in the country as he enters his fifth year. Plus, they brought in the top transfer portal class to back him up. Nussmeier put his NFL dreams on hold to make one last run in Baton Rouge. So, the big question is, can he really make a splash this season?

Nussmeier has all the tools to lead the Tigers to a high-flying redemption. In 2024, Nussmeier was in the top 10 in the FBS in passing yards (4,052) and passing touchdowns (29) while completing 64.2% of his attempts last season. But make no mistake! There are some bumps on the road as well. He has thrown a total of 12 interceptions, the highest among the SEC quarterbacks.

If his cannon arm has been a huge selling point, the tendency to turn over the football is a huge turn-off. “Garrett Nussmeier might not be the most athletic guy out there. But he’s huge. He threw for over 4,000 yards last year; he’s an absolute gunslinger, good and bad, and he can take some chances. But in that offense with Brian Kelly, you know that he’s going to put up numbers. And I think LSU is going to be a really good football team,” says Joel Klatt while discussing Brian Kelly’s QB1 for the 2025 season.

Headlined by Edge Patrick Payton [Florida State], wide receiver Nic Anderson [Oklahoma], and safety A.J. Haulcy [Houston], among several others, the 2025 class is a thing to bet a dime on. In his list of top 10 QBs in 2025, Klatt put Nussmeier in the 6th position. While there’s much to like in the QB, you can’t ignore one glowing concern that stung the offense last year. The turnovers.

“This should be Brian’s best LSU team, I think. But got to cut down on turnovers, 15 last year,” Klatt laid out his concern, “and for a traditional pocket guy that’s not going to bail you out with his legs. Minimizing turnovers is a must.”

Paul Finebaum pointed out similar concerns about Garrett Nussmeier, especially when you think about those big games against Alabama, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss. Nussmeier definitely showed some weaknesses, which raised questions about all the hype around him. The SEC Network guy made a good point: if the Tigers don’t fix these issues, those high expectations could really come back to bite them.

Klatt echoed the same concern, adding, “You cannot turn the football over if you’re going to be a traditional pocket guy. Because you’re never going to equate numbers and make up for mistakes. You’re never going to be the eraser that the guys with athleticism are. So that’s something that he’s going to have to clean up on.”

However, regardless of the hopes and fears, Nussmeier knows he has to deliver. And given LSU’s overreliance on their QB play, if he delivers, former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron might come out a prophet!

Former LSU legend sets a clear expectation for Brian Kelly

The former legend, with a Natty under his belt, has closely watched over Kelly’s records and potential all these years. He knows that it’s the boiling point for the LSU fans. The higher-ups will no longer let Kelly get away with another no-natty season, no matter how big the $63 million liability is.

Kelly got a good roster, a good push to be back on the national prominence after back-to-back disappointments since 2019. Letting that go in vain can be the last thing to help him at all. Nussmeier has to prove himself in a tough opener against Clemson. As history says, if the Tigers can avoid their early-season slump, they are halfway there. But the goal remains the same.

“Expectations at LSU are No. 1 or nothing! I mean, that’s it! LSU expects you to win the national championship. They don’t expect you to win it every year, but Coach Saban won it in his third year, Les Miles won it in his third year, and I won it in my third year,” Ed Orgeron’s unique blend of confidence and doubt oozes out over a telephonic conversation with Jax Sports Radio.

It will be intriguing and heart-racing to see what awaits Brian Kelly ahead on the road.