USA Today Names Six Coaches With Best Chances Of Winning First National Title

Blake Toppmeyer of the USA Today Network published an article on Monday titled "The six college football coaches with best chance of winning first national title."

In his list, LSU's Brian Kelly checked in at No. 3, behind Texas coach Steve Sarkisian and Oregon's Dan Lanning.

Here's what he had to say about Kelly:

quote:

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3. Brian Kelly (LSU)

Did you get your digs in at Kelly, when LSU failed to make the playoff while Freeman rallied Notre Dame to the national championship game? Hope you enjoyed it, because Kelly loaded up for a chance at the last laugh. Kelly signed the nation’s best transfer class. That haul includes top-rung defensive line and secondary additions, necessary personnel tasked with jumpstarting a defense that’s been too feeble for too long.

The Tigers return the SEC’s most proven quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier. They’re set at receiver. A retooled offensive line must perform, but this is Kelly’s best shot at a title since coming to LSU. The national title window slowly closes on Kelly, 63. It’s not closed yet.

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Toppmeyer full list:
1. Steve Sarkisian (Texas)
2. Dan Lanning (Oregon)
3. Brian Kelly (LSU)
4. Kalen DeBoer (Alabama)
5. Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame)
6. James Franklin (Penn State)