re: "Kelly has won 40 of the past 41 games in which he was favored"

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Says a lot more about Notre Dame's weak opponents than it does BK's coaching. Have you seen ND's cupcake schedule this year? (Edit: they should be favored in 9 out of 12 games)

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ND playing a weak schedule is one of the most ridiculous false narratives that is constantly perpetuated across CFB fans

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ND playing a weak schedule is one of the most ridiculous false narratives that is constantly perpetuated across CFB fans

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It's a good way to identify the casuals.

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I'll admit I didn't realize BYU was at a neutral site (in Vegas)

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Holy shite, Catholics vs Mormons in Sin City???
How the hell did they get THAT lineup?

And about Kelly winning the games he's favored in- you can't complain about Notre Dame's schedule with that stat. LSU lost at home to Troy. LSU lost to UCLA, Miss State, Mizzou. Those are games we should write in as W's in ink.

It appears once Kelly gets his system in place (and it might take a year), he won't lose those games.

UCLA was not a better team last year. Auburn was not a better team last year. In 2020, MSU was not a better team. In 2020, Mizzu was not a better team. In 2020, Auburn was not a better team.

In 2016, Wisky was not a better team. In 2016, Auburn was not a better team. In 2015, Arkansas was not a better team.

Take this "40 of 41 games as a favorite" stat.

I may be off by a few games (not sure how to look up odds for past games), but I believe Notre Dame was the favorite in 41 out of BK's last 50 games at Notre Dame.

Only 2 ways that can happen - either you're the best team in college football or you have a weak schedule.

I think there are probably going to be a bit more growing pains this year that some might expect. That could be easier to overcome in other conferences. Not the SEC West. O didn't leave the cupboard bare. But this probably isn't one of the most individually talented LSU teams over the last 2 decades. Or at least deep. There was a reason Kelly felt compelled to bring in 15 transfers. With a completely new staff and many new faces, there are going to be spots where things just do go well.

Still, I think the key to an 8 win season is the FSU game. If LSU beats FSU they only have to go 4-4 in the SEC to get 8 wins. That is doable. Losing to FSU means LSU will have to go 5-3 in the league to hit that mark. That is a tougher task. Especially considering (a) essentially every team in the SEC West is expected to have a winning season; (b) LSU gets arguably the second best team in the East (Tennessee) on the rotating schedule; and (c) "Even" years generally present a tougher schedule. Yes, Florida and Auburn have their own issues...but those aren't "easy" places to play. A&M isn't an easy place to play either (though I think they may be overrated this year). And LSU rarely seems to play well in Arkansas when Arkansas actually has a pulse.

Personally, I think LSU hits (at least) 8 wins. But I wouldn't be floored if they struggle a bit in year 1 of Kelly...even though the long-term outlook is great.

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LSU isn't even ranked, which should tell us that no one is that impressed with Kelly.

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This has nothing to do with Kelly. It has everything to do with Orgeron leaving LSU in ashes. LSU will be ranked after the first or second game.

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how many teams are there in the SEC?

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Every team in the SEC has both Alabama and Georgia on their schedule?

And even if the answer would be all SEC teams, then that would still put ND at 15th at worst in regards to strength of schedule.

Kelly's resume is indicative of a coach that will perform to the level of his talent 99% of the time and on rare occasions over that level. That is good, he will have top 3-5 talent yearly at LSU.