Copyright Athlon Sports
Key Points LSU has dropped three of its last four games after starting 4–0. Paul Finebaum admits he was wrong about LSU and Garrett Nussmeier. Finebaum says LSU’s struggles aren’t as bad as other major programs — yet. As the 2025 college football season approached, several teams garnered significant attention. One such team was the LSU Tigers. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum promoted the hype surrounding the team this offseason, declaring them a “no doubt” playoff contender and labeling quarterback Garrett Nussmeier as a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. The Tigers appeared to validate Finebaum’s predictions by starting the year with a 4-0 record and securing the No. 3 ranking in the country. Since then, LSU has experienced a tough stretch, going 1-3 and bringing their overall record to 5-3. They are likely out of the playoff race unless they achieve a late-season surge. Additionally, Nussmeier has struggled this season, totaling 1,806 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. On “The Matt Barrie Show,” Finebaum acknowledged that many believed the Tigers were strong, but he admitted he had misjudged the team. “We thought they were,” Finebaum said. “For all of the dumb takes that I had before the season, there are plenty of equally dumb ones about Garrett Nussmeier and LSU. That’s just where we are in college football. This, to me, is not quite as epic as Penn State or Clemson, because, let’s be honest, LSU is losing to good teams.” LSU recently suffered a significant loss at home during a night game, an environment where they are typically hard to beat. They fell to the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies, 49-25. The Aggies amassed 426 total yards of offense, while LSU could only manage 278 yards. Nussmeier completed 168 yards on 35 passes, throwing for just one touchdown. Additionally, the Tigers rushed for only 60 yards. With LSU likely out of realistic playoff contention, the focus shifts to how the Tigers finish the season. Head coach Brian Kelly faces renewed pressure to stabilize the offense and build momentum for 2026. For Nussmeier, the final stretch offers a chance to reclaim his preseason promise and perhaps vindicate Finebaum’s early belief in him.
