LSU coach Brian Kelly came under heavy fire after the Tigers lost 45-24 to Florida State despite holding a halftime lead. Photo Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports Sep 3, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; LSU head coach Brian Kelly talks to Kirk Herbstreit before the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

For the third-straight season, a Brian Kelly-coached team opened its season playing Florida State. And things are not trending in the right direction.

Kelly’s Notre Dame blew a big lead but ultimately prevailed over the Seminoles in 2021’s opener. In 2022, Kelly’s first game as LSU’s coach went poorly, as a botched extra-point attempt led to the Tigers losing by a point. But the ugly win and even frustrating loss look a lot better than what happened on Sunday.

While things were bumpy at times, the Tigers carried a 17-14 lead into the locker room at halftime. But the second half was all Seminoles. Florida State took the lead late in the third quarter, then scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter. LSU scored the final touchdown of the game, breaking what was a second-half shutout. But the Seminoles still came away with a decisive 45-24 win over Kelly and the Tigers.

Kelly was slammed for another poor showing in a big game against a top team, especially given that LSU was winning at halftime.

LSU’s loss is even worse when we remember what Kelly said only days before the game. The coach did clarify that LSU is young and inexperienced in some places. That, however, did nothing to dull his confidence, as he bluntly said, “We’re going to beat the heck out of Florida State.”

Kelly and the Tigers will look to bounce back against Grambling next week before starting the SEC schedule against Mississippi State on Sept. 16.

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