In his latest remarks, former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron — the man who led the Tigers to their 2019 national championship — has stirred the pot with sharp commentary that both challenges quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s rising stature and indirectly diminishes the soaring legacy of Joe Burrow.
Appearing on the *Pardon My Take* podcast, Orgeron revealed that during a clinic visit to Texas, he observed quarterback Arch Manning at practice. He said:
The comparison was a blunt acknowledgment of Arch’s potential, but came at the expense of Nussmeier — who had been recruited by Orgeron himself — stirring unease among LSU faithful and talent evaluators.
### “It’s the Highway or No Way”
The criticism didn’t stop there. Speaking on Jax Sports Radio, Orgeron reminded Brian Kelly that **three years is all you get at LSU**:
> “It’s the highway or no way… Expectations at LSU are No. 1 or nothing! … Coach Saban won it in his third year, Les Miles won it in his third year, and I won it in my third year.”
> ([secrant.com][2], [EssentiallySports][3], [sportinfo2][4])
He made clear that with a roster now flush with talent and a talented quarterback in Nussmeier, anything short of a national title in 2025 would be considered a failure — a stark ultimatum for Kelly.
### The Fallout for Nussmeier and LSU’s Campaign
* **Under pressure**: Orgeron’s words may place an outsized burden on Nussmeier, who already faces expectations to match the Heisman-level seasons of predecessors like Joe Burrow.
* **Reality check**: Analysts warn that Nussmeier, while talented, still needs to address key areas like ball security — he threw 12 interceptions in 2024 despite impressive passing numbers ([A to Z Sports][1], [Louisiana Sports][5], [PFSN][6]).
* **System support needed**: LSU’s offensive line has seen heavy turnover, leaving Nussmeier potentially exposed if cohesion doesn’t develop quickly ([PFSN][6]).
### Burrow’s Shadow Lingers
While Orgeron’s comments may have been intended to praise a younger talent, they inadvertently underscore the towering legacy Joe Burrow set at LSU in 2019. Burrow rewrote the record books, won the Heisman, and delivered LSU’s first national championship since 1958. To compare anyone to him — let alone suggest they rival him — speaks volumes about the high bar he set ([Wikipedia][7], [EssentiallySports][8]).
### Final Word
Ed Orgeron’s latest remarks reverberate across Baton Rouge. In one breath, he coins Arch Manning as a beacon of future greatness; in the next, he forces the narrative that Nussmeier and Brian Kelly must deliver a title — or face criticism. For LSU patriots, the message is clear: the time for patience is over.
Nussmeier’s response on the field, and Kelly’s ability to shape a championship-caliber team in 2025, will determine whether Coach O’s pressure becomes motivation… or regret.
