re: Don’t know why everyone is so negative

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This is why Blockbuster and others completely misunderstood the changing landscape. My point: You can have the most money and still failing. Failing to understand your failing is the problem. Might as well quadruple down and not have eyes.

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In Blockbuster’s case, there was a consistent blind spot and failure to adapt to the changing environment. There was also a clear path forward (Netflix). I don’t see any of those patterns in the current situation for LSU. The issues have been unique to each season with Kelly showing a willingness to adapt every time, maybe not as quickly as fans thought he should have, but he did make changes. On the flip side, there is no clear alternative model to which LSU should turn instead.

2022- Special teams directly cost LSU the FSU game and was a key contributor to the Tennessee and Georgia losses. Despite that, LSU outperformed expectations thanks to Daniels, whom Kelly should be credited for bringing in. After the season, he parted ways with Polian to address the problem.

2023- The defense was a disaster undoing an all-time great offense. Kelly deserves blame for a bad hire in House, but he again addressed the issue by firing him and bringing in a strong replacement in Baker.

2024- LSU was in a strong position to make the SECCG and CFP until Dellinger and Frazier went down with injuries. They couldn’t protect Nussmeier during the 3-game losing streak and he was pressured into mistakes. There was still a talent gap on the defensive side which Kelly addressed by getting more aggressive in the transfer portal. There were signs of concern with the offense, but they played well enough outside the 3-game slide.

2025- Nussmeier’s injury has plagued the offense most of the season, exposing potential issues at OL coach and OC. We’ll see how the remainder of the season plays out, but despite the grumbling that Kelly is too arrogant or set in his ways, I would expect him to address the issue just as he did with Polian and House. Despite all that, had Nussmeier been healthy, they likely would have beaten Ole Miss. He finally got closer to 100% in the last couple of games, then Gooden and Weeks went down. The offense did well enough to win against Vandy, but the defense let them down. With Gooden and Weeks, LSU more than likely wins. I don’t see a program going backwards. I see a team that could very easily be 7-0 right now at 100%. I don’t think you can necessarily blame a coach for depth issues in the current environment.

It’s been a game of Whack-a-Mole so far in Kelly’s tenure. He’s had some hiccups with the coaching staff, but also some goods hires. He’s shown a willingness to shake things up when necessary. Injuries really have derailed progress the last two seasons or else there’s a good chance they would have been in the CFP last year and in the driver’s seat this year. At some point if all the pieces don’t come together, it’s time to move on. I just don’t see that now. It’s been bad luck as much as anything more recently.