Kirk Herbstreit: LSU facing must win game against Texas A&M

It’s now or never for LSU, according to ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit. The Tigers, ranked No. 20 in the country and sitting at 5-2, host No. 3 Texas A&M (7-0) Saturday night.

Brian Kelly had a lot of pressure coming into Year 4. Basically, it was College Football PLayoff or bust. It’s getting dangerously close to bust.

LSU’s already lost to Ole Miss and Vanderbilt, so a third SEC loss will practically end any hopes of a conference title and easier path to the CFP. Herbstreit put the onus on LSU to get it done under the bright lights of Tiger Stadium.

“I think history tells us there are certain programs … I call it kind of getting backed into a corner or this is now or never,” Herbstreit said on SportsCenter. “That’s what it feels like for me. You’re at home, at night at Tiger Stadium against the number three team in the country. I don’t know if they’re going to win the game, but I think you can know what kind of team is going to show up. If there’s ever been a must win for LSU to keep their hopes alive of trying to maybe (get) to Atlanta, maybe have an opportunity down the road to get into the postseason. They’ve got to knock off Texas A&M and it’s going to get tougher for them down the road. 

“They still have Alabama and others, but this is a must win. They got to get the running game going. Can they do that against Texas A&M? And can they really, in my mind, help Garrett Nussmeier on third down. A&M is playing as well as anybody in the country on third down defense. But I think the energy of Tiger stadium, how does Marcel Reed and A&M handle that? Just a lot there for both of these teams. But make no mistake, this is win or go home for LSU.”

College football analyst Josh Pate echoed those comments earlier this week. Kelly could be coaching for his job this weekend or very soon.

“He’s coaching for his job this season,” Pate said. “I wouldn’t circle this weekend. I would say this weekend, if they don’t get the job done, there’s a meeting in that building Sunday where some changes on his offensive staff are demanded. Then, the question becomes, does Brian Kelly look around and say, ‘I don’t have to answer to anyone. This is my offensive staff. You do what you feel like you need to do.’”