Brian Kelly record vs. ranked teams: How LSU has struggled against AP Top 25 opponents under head coach originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The college football coaching carousel is constantly spinning. One of the biggest names to make a major jump in recent years was Brian Kelly, who left Notre Dame for LSU before the 2022 season after spending 12 years with the Irish.
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Although questions arose about how Kelly, a Massachusetts native, would fit culturally at LSU, the hire was initially considered a home run. Kelly had won big at Notre Dame and was expected to bring a consistent, winning culture to Baton Rouge.
But through four seasons with the Tigers, LSU has yet to win a championship of any kind and has also failed to make the College Football Playoff. Following LSU’s 31-24 loss to ranked Vanderbilt, it’s time to examine Kelly’s record against ranked teams since joining the Tigers.
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Brian Kelly record vs. Top 10 teams
After last Saturday’s loss to LSU, Kelly’s record against ranked opponents with the Tigers stands at 5-10. In his first season at LSU, he won two games against ranked teams, defeating No. 7 Ole Miss and No. 6 Alabama in back-to-back weeks.
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Since then, wins over ranked opponents have been few and far between.
Here’s a look at each of those games:
|
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Final Score |
|
Oct. 8, 2022 |
No. 8 Tennessee |
L |
40-13 |
|
Oct. 22, 2022 |
No. 7 Ole Miss |
W |
45-20 |
|
Nov. 5, 2022 |
No. 6 Alabama |
W |
32-31 |
|
Dec. 3, 2022 |
No. 1 Georgia (SECCG) |
L |
50-30 |
|
Sept. 3, 2023 |
Vs. No. 8 Florida State (Neutral Site) |
L |
45-24 |
|
Sept. 30, 2023 |
@ No. 20 Ole Miss |
L |
55-49 |
|
Oct. 7, 2023 |
@ No. 21 Missouri |
W |
49-39 |
|
Nov. 4, 2023 |
@ No. 8 Alabama |
L |
42-28 |
|
Sept. 1, 2024 |
Vs. No. 23 USC (Neutral Site) |
L |
27-20 |
|
Oct. 12, 2024 |
Vs. No. 9 Ole Miss |
L |
29-26 |
|
Nov. 9, 2024 |
Vs. No. 11 Alabama |
L |
42-13 |
|
Aug. 30, 2025 |
@ No. 4 Clemson |
W |
17-10 |
|
Sept. 27, 2025 |
@ No. 13 Ole Miss |
L |
24-19 |
|
Oct. 18, 2025 |
@ No. 17 Vanderbilt |
L |
31-24 |
|
Oct. 25, 2025 |
Vs. No. 3 Texas A&M |
? |
TBD |
Kelly appeared to address the noise surrounding his record in big games the week after the Vanderbilt loss:
Kelly and the Tigers have another chance against a ranked opponent this week. On Saturday night, LSU is taking on the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies at home. TAMU enters this game undefeated, and is listed as a slight 2.5-point road favorite. At least positively, Kelly seems optimistic about his team’s chances:
Brian Kelly record at LSU
Over his 47 games at LSU, Kelly has compiled a 34-13 overall record. Although LSU won 10 games in his first two seasons and he led the Tigers to an SEC title game in 2022, those teams finished with four and three losses, which kept them out of the playoff hunt.
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Last season, LSU finished 9-4 and was eliminated from playoff contention after losing its third game to Alabama on Nov. 9.
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Coaching Records elsewhere
Kelly’s lack of success at LSU is a bit surprising. When he left South Bend, he was the winningest head coach in Notre Dame history, surpassing Lou Holtz and Knute Rockne with 113 all-time wins. He also had seven double-digit win seasons, including five straight from 2017–2021.
But against ranked teams, Kelly’s squads didn’t fare all that well. At Notre Dame, he finished 23-23 overall versus ranked opponents.
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Before arriving at Notre Dame, Kelly went 34-6 over four seasons with Cincinnati and 19-16 over three seasons at Central Michigan.
MORE:Can LSU still salvage its playoff chances?
Brian Kelly biggest wins at LSU
During Kelly’s first season at LSU in 2022, he notched a couple of signature wins. First, he knocked off then-undefeated, No. 7-ranked Ole Miss 45-20. Although the game was tied 24-20 entering the fourth quarter, the Tigers scored 21 unanswered points to secure the victory.
LSU’s next signature win came following a bye week, against Alabama at home. The game was a thriller, going to overtime tied at 24. Nick Saban and the Tide struck first, making it 31-24 after Alabama’s possession. Daniels responded with a 25-yard rushing touchdown on the first play of LSU’s turn. Instead of kicking the extra point to force a second overtime, LSU went for two. Daniels connected with tight end Mason Taylor on the play, sealing an upset win over No. 6 Alabama.
LSU went on to play Georgia in the SEC title game that season but lost 50-30.
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During LSU’s 2023 season, the Tigers’ lone win over a ranked opponent came on the road against Missouri, 49-39. Last season, LSU notched an upset victory over then-No. 9 Ole Miss, winning 29-26. In Week 1 this season, LSU defeated then-No. 4 Clemson 17-10, but the Tigers’ current 3-4 record makes that win less meaningful.
LSU has three games remaining against ranked opponents: No. 3 Texas A&M this weekend, at No. 4 Alabama on Nov. 8, and at No. 13 Oklahoma on Nov. 29.
