LSU Sports Photography
The CBS Sports "Patience Meter Scale" for LSU head coach Lane Kiffin is maxed out with high expectations in Year 1.

According to Brad Crawford, Kiffin and new Michigan head coach Kyle Witttingham are the only two first-year coaches who need to "win big now, given the resource allocation."

Patience meter scale:
1 - Understandable multi-year rebuild
2 - Plenty of runway for future progress
3 - Commence bowl eligibility after roster overhaul
4 - Expectations are high and potentially unrealistic
5 - Win big now, given the resource allocation
quote:

Lane Kiffin, LSU
Patience meter: 5 - Win big now, given the resource allocation

Kiffin leaving Oxford for Baton Rouge this offseason raises the pressure to a level that borders on transactional, given the vast resources invested: one of the most expensive portal-built rosters in college football. This isn't a slow-burn rebuild or a developmental season loading. It's win-now, and everyone knows it. The expectation is simple in theory, brutal in practice -- compete for the playoff immediately and look like a national title contender by midseason.

LSU didn't invest heavily in the transfer portal to be "good." It was built to overwhelm opponents with depth, speed and quarterback-driven explosiveness, which Kiffin has long been known for maximizing. But that's the catch. High-dollar rosters don't guarantee cohesion in September. Chemistry, especially along the offensive line and in the secondary, will decide how quickly this group clicks. If LSU isn't in the playoff conversation when the selection committee meets for the first time, the conversation around Kiffin's debut season will shift quickly from excitement to scrutiny in a place that measures success in trophies, not transition curves.
What are your expectations for Year 1 with Lane Kiffin?
Filed Under: LSU Football
7 Comments
user avatar
user avatar
BIIIL5 hours
LSU fans expect a national championship every season and believe that Saban leaving cost them the dynasty that Alabama enjoyed while he was there
Now that Kiffin is at LSU the same is expected of his teams....every year....not just this year. Don't expect the pressure to ease up even if we were to win a Natty this year.
user avatar
LoveThatMoney5 hours
I honestly just want a product that looks like it is at least attempting to live up to the talent level on the team, with coaches that seem to understand development and adjustments, both pregame and in game.

Expecting a natty every year is crazy, but expecting a good product is not. We are too talented for that. The coaching staff is packed with great coaches. Phoning it in can’t be an option.

Even if LSU goes 7-5 or 8-4 and misses the playoffs, if it looks like we are heading in the right direction, I’ll be ok. But if we go 7-5 or 8-4 and we look lost or like the players don’t give a shite, that will be a problem.

7-5 or 8-4 will lead to increased pressure next year, whether LSU looks good or not, but it will be different kinds and levels of pressure.

Of course, let’s just go win the whole damn thing and be done.
user avatar
Geauxldilocks5 hours
Playoffs or bust.
user avatar
Clayvet5 hours
I think Lane has potential for legendary status at LSU if he sticks around a while. That being said, I think most fans and media pundits sorely underestimate chemistry and get lost in what’s on paper, including money and contracts. I’d love to make a natty push every year but chemistry takes a while to build. I think a natty push would be an overachievement this year.
user avatar
TouchdownTony10 min
I doubt 40 million was spent on the expectation being 9-3.
user avatar
Gonadballbarian5 hours
Ship
user avatar
LSUScores5 hours
Likely an 8-4/7-5 season record this year
Popular Stories
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookXInstagram