Paul Finebaum’s Take: Are the LSU Tigers a College Football Playoff Team in 2025?
Paul Finebaum, the ever-outspoken voice of the SEC, has never been one to shy away from controversy—or bold predictions. And in 2025, he’s turning his attention once again to Baton Rouge. With a razor-sharp tone on his weekday show, The Paul Finebaum Show, he addressed the question on everyone’s mind: Are the LSU Tigers a College Football Playoff team in 2025? Finebaum’s answer was a resounding yes—but with caveats.
“They’ve got the talent, no question,” Finebaum said during a fiery segment in April. “But this year, it comes down to maturity, quarterback consistency, and Brian Kelly finally putting together a complete defensive unit.”
Coming off a solid 10-3 campaign in 2024 capped by a Sugar Bowl win over Penn State, the Tigers return with a vengeance. Garrett Nussmeier, who stepped into the spotlight after Jayden Daniels’ departure to the NFL, has emerged as one of the SEC’s most refined passers. “Nussmeier’s not just ready—he’s surgical,” Finebaum noted. “He’s got the arm, the IQ, and now the leadership. That’s what makes LSU dangerous.”
Offensively, LSU is stacked. Malik Nabers may be gone, but sophomore wideout Jalen Brown has blossomed into a breakout star, drawing comparisons to Odell Beckham Jr. The Tigers’ offensive line, led by All-American tackle Will Campbell, has gelled into a formidable wall, giving the backfield ample room to operate. “This is the most balanced LSU offense I’ve seen in years,” Finebaum asserted. “And that’s saying something.”
But for Finebaum, the real difference-maker lies on the defensive side. After two seasons of inconsistency and poor tackling, the Tigers brought in former Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann. “It’s the most underrated hire of the offseason,” Finebaum said. “Schumann’s already installed a disciplined 4–2–5 scheme, and it’s paying dividends. Watch for Harold Perkins Jr. to wreak havoc.”
LSU’s schedule, however, is brutal. With road games at Alabama and Texas, and a mid-season clash with Ole Miss, Finebaum acknowledged the margin for error is thin. “One slip, and they’re out. But if they survive October, they’re in.”
And what about Brian Kelly—the ever-polarizing head coach? Finebaum, once skeptical of the former Notre Dame man’s fit in the SEC, seems to have changed his tune. “Kelly has adjusted. He gets the SEC now. He’s not just coaching—he’s building a powerhouse.”
In typical Finebaum fashion, he left listeners with a provocative sign-off: “Mark my words—if LSU beats Alabama in Tuscaloosa, book their ticket to the Playoff. If they don’t, they’re heading to the Peach Bowl. Simple as that.”
With a confident quarterback, a lethal offense, and a retooled defense, Finebaum’s take carries weight. The 2025 LSU Tigers aren’t just contenders—they’re hunters. And if the pundit is right, they might just hunt all the way to the College Football Playoff.
