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LSU Tigers Football: Phil Steele 2025 Forecast

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby: Grant Grubbs07/08/25grant_grubbs_
NCAA Football: Vanderbilt at Louisiana State
Nov 23, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) signals a first down against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

LSU is entering Year 4 under head coach Brian Kelly, and expectations are through the roof. College football expert Phil Steele only added to these lofty expectations with his 2025 forecast for the Tigers, starting with a preview of the team’s offense.

Offense

“Last year I said they would drop by over a TD per game and they fell to 31 [points per game] and 432 [yards per game],” Steele wrote. “This year they are improved at the skill positions but do lose 4 NFL draft picks off the OLine so that will be the biggest question. This time my computer is calling for them to get to 34.7 ppg.”

Nearly four extra points per game would be a massive upswing for LSU. However, it’s certainly possible. This year will be Garrett Nussmeier‘s second as the team’s full-time starter behind center.

Nussmeier tallied 4,052 passing yards and 29 touchdowns last season, but also threw 12 interceptions. With a year of experience under his belt, Nussmeier is aiming to cut down on his turnovers this fall, while also utilizing his legs more to escape pressure.

Nussmeier won’t have a shortage of targets. LSU is returning its leading receiver from last season, Aaron Anderson, while adding star transfer Barion Brown. Steele’s confidence in LSU next season isn’t limited to the team’s offense.

Defense

“This year they lose all 4 starting DL but hit the portal hard and have a veteran back 7,” Steele said. “They are in the 2nd year of the defense. I look for continued improvement from the stop unit.”

In total, LSU is returning just three starters from last season on defense. Of course, it helps that one of those starters is linebacker Whit Weeks, who will be a frontrunner to win SEC Defensive Player of the Year this fall after tallying the second-most tackles in the country this season.

However, more important than any individual player, LSU is running it back with defensive coordinator Blake Baker. LSU’s defense made significant strides under Baker last season, holding opponents to 364.4 yards per game.

LSU’s 2025 Forecast

For reference, LSU’s defense gave up 416.6 yards per game in the 2023 campaign without Baker at the helm. Steele believes LSU is more than capable of making a run for the national title this year.

“This year they jump up to #47 on my Exp Chart plus Kelly brought in the top classes of transfers and hopes to hit home runs like he did in 2023,” Steele wrote. “The key will be the line play on both sides of the ball as they lose 4 OL to the NFL draft and all 4 starting DL. They do have road trips to Clemson, Ole Miss, Bama and Oklahoma but are a legitimate national title contender with a potent offense and improved defense.”