BATON ROUGE — The expanded College Football Playoff format was intended to benefit teams like this season’s LSU football squad. While not the most talented team in their conference and experiencing a coaching overhaul, LSU had enough foundational elements to be competitive and avoid a prolonged acclimation period for players.
However, following a humiliating 42-13 loss to Alabama at Tiger Stadium, the team’s dreams of making the playoffs have likely been dashed. Just two weeks prior, LSU was in a strong position within the SEC, but consecutive disappointing performances have led to significant concerns.
The loss to Alabama served as a de facto College Football Playoff elimination game. Many expected a better showing after a bye week, yet the coaching staff was unable to find solutions to counter Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, who executed an impressive game with 294 total yards and four rushing touchdowns.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly addressed the disappointing performance, emphasizing that the players are more focused on their standards rather than just playoff aspirations. “We’re disappointed in the way we performed,” Kelly stated. “When you put on a jersey for LSU, there’s a standard of football that those three letters on your jersey signify. We didn’t live up to that.”
Despite the setback, Kelly remains optimistic that his players can still regroup and focus on finishing the season strong. With a few weeks left in the regular season, there’s always a chance for recovery, but the team will need to capitalize on any opportunities that arise to restore its footing.
As LSU moves forward, the coaching staff has an opportunity to reassess strategies and build on the foundation laid earlier in the season. With a positive outlook, the team can focus on achieving its internal goals while preparing for the challenges ahead.
In summary, while LSU’s playoff hopes appear dim after the recent loss to Alabama, the focus now shifts towards restoring the team’s standards and finishing the season on a strong note. There is still potential for growth and improvement as the Tigers navigate the remaining challenges in the season.