The LSU Tigers have long been one of the most storied programs in college football, with a rich tradition of dominance, championship victories, and elite players. But in recent years, there’s been a growing question on the minds of many fans: Has LSU’s football program been overshadowed by Alabama and Georgia? And, perhaps more critically, can Brian Kelly—the man who was supposed to restore LSU to its rightful place—truly bring the Tigers back to the top in an SEC that’s more loaded than ever?

While LSU’s 2019 national championship is still fresh in the minds of many, a lot has changed since then. Alabama and Georgia have continued their reigns as college football’s juggernauts, leaving LSU struggling to regain its place in the national conversation. The Tigers’ once-unshakable status as a top-tier SEC powerhouse is now being questioned by some of the best programs in the country, and it’s time to take a hard look at where LSU stands and what the future holds under Brian Kelly.

A Legacy of Dominance and Sudden Decline

LSU has always been a program that lives and breathes football. The 2000s and 2010s were filled with high points—two national championships (2003 and 2007), consistent SEC titles, and a reputation for producing NFL talent. But after the unforgettable 2019 season, when Joe Burrow and Ed Orgeron led the Tigers to a historic national title, things took a sharp turn.

Orgeron, despite his success, struggled to maintain the level of excellence required at LSU. By 2021, after a disappointing season, he was out as head coach. Enter Brian Kelly, the former Notre Dame head coach, who was brought in to restore the Tigers’ championship pedigree.

Kelly’s arrival sparked optimism, but he inherited a program in transition. Unlike Nick Saban, who has been synonymous with Alabama’s dynasty, or Kirby Smart, who has elevated Georgia into an elite powerhouse, Kelly’s path to success has been anything but smooth.

The Unstoppable Tide: Alabama’s Perennial Dominance

The most immediate challenge for Kelly and LSU has been Alabama. Under Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide have been nothing short of a dynasty. Since 2009, Alabama has won six national championships and been in the playoff conversation nearly every season. Even in years when they weren’t the favorite, Saban’s coaching brilliance and recruiting success kept Alabama at the top.

In 2024, Alabama remains as dangerous as ever, with quarterback Jalen Milroe emerging as a future star and a defense that still strikes fear into every opponent. It seems like every season, Alabama reloads with fresh talent and maintains its spot as the gold standard in college football.

For LSU, trying to compete with Alabama’s level of dominance has been an ongoing struggle. While the Tigers have had their moments, such as their 2022 win over Alabama in Baton Rouge, the overall record between the two teams in the last decade favors the Crimson Tide. Saban’s ability to consistently attract the top talent in the country and his track record of success has kept LSU—and every other program in the SEC—chasing from behind.

The Rise of Georgia: Can LSU Keep Up?

If Alabama has been the standard for the past decade, Georgia has firmly established itself as the new powerhouse in college football. Under Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs have evolved into a juggernaut, with a rock-solid defense and an offense that’s become increasingly more explosive. In 2021, Georgia ended a 41-year championship drought, and in 2022, they won their second consecutive national title—a feat few could have predicted even a few years ago.

While Alabama remains the king in many respects, Georgia has become the team to beat. Their recruiting is elite, and with the addition of standout quarterbacks like Stetson Bennett (who led them to back-to-back titles) and the next wave of talent, Georgia is locked in as a top contender for the foreseeable future. The Bulldogs are making it harder for LSU to claim its place among the top, especially considering that Georgia’s defense has redefined what it means to be a dominant unit in the modern era.

For Brian Kelly and LSU, staying relevant in an SEC where both Alabama and Georgia are so entrenched at the top will require more than just solid recruiting—it will require championship-level coaching, player development, and, crucially, consistent success on the national stage. Can Kelly build a program that can match Georgia’s grit and Alabama’s relentless excellence? That’s a question that still looms large.

Brian Kelly’s Struggle to Compete at the Top

Brian Kelly is an experienced and respected coach, but he faces an uphill battle at LSU. While Kelly enjoyed success at Notre Dame, he’s now trying to do something that has eluded many coaches before him: break Alabama and Georgia’s stranglehold on college football.

Kelly’s first season at LSU (2022) was a step in the right direction, with the Tigers finishing with a 10-4 record and a trip to the SEC Championship Game. However, their blowout loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship, followed by a lackluster showing in the Citrus Bowl against Iowa State, highlighted the gap that still exists between LSU and the elite programs.

In 2023, LSU made progress with a potent offense led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, but their inconsistency on defense—coupled with losses to top-ranked SEC teams like Alabama and Georgia—raised doubts about whether Kelly can truly compete for national titles in the current SEC landscape. The defense, historically a strength at LSU, has been a glaring weakness under Kelly, and the Tigers’ inability to stop high-powered offenses has been a major obstacle.

Can LSU Ever Compete With Alabama and Georgia Again?

The truth is that LSU’s road back to the pinnacle of college football isn’t an easy one. Alabama and Georgia are not just teams; they are dynasties that recruit at an elite level year after year. While LSU remains one of the premier programs in college football, they have struggled to recruit and develop players at the same rate as those two juggernauts.

But that doesn’t mean LSU is without hope. The Tigers have a rich history, an incredibly passionate fanbase, and the resources to compete with anyone in the country. With time, recruiting success, and perhaps a few more key coaching adjustments, Kelly could eventually turn LSU into a perennial contender.

However, the clock is ticking. Alabama and Georgia’s dominance shows no signs of slowing down, and LSU can’t afford to fall too far behind. The gap between the Tigers and the top-tier SEC programs is wide, but it’s not insurmountable. Brian Kelly has the ability to lead LSU back to prominence—but it will take a masterful effort to get there, and time will tell if he can truly build a program capable of taking down the juggernauts of Alabama and Georgia.

Conclusion: The Future of LSU Football

As we look ahead, LSU’s football program faces a pivotal moment in its storied history. The rise of Alabama and Georgia, coupled with LSU’s recent struggles, has left many wondering if the Tigers can reclaim their place among the SEC elite. Brian Kelly has the tools and the track record, but it will take a full team effort to close the gap.

For LSU fans, the question remains: Can Brian Kelly overcome the dominance of Alabama and Georgia? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—LSU football is far from finished, and the fight for supremacy in the SEC is just beginning.

This article dives into the current state of LSU football, exploring its struggles in the shadow of Alabama and Georgia while highlighting the challenges Brian Kelly faces. It invites readers to weigh in on whether LSU can return to the top or if the Tigers are destined to remain in the middle of the SEC power struggle.