In a white-knuckle showdown on Saturday, No. 17 LSU managed to secure a 36-33 road victory against South Carolina. However, the game revealed ongoing imperfections within Coach Brian Kelly's program, causing doubts about a potential playoff berth at the end of his third season.

The contest started with both teams displaying their fair share of flaws. LSU struggled with tackling and fundamental play, while South Carolina's disruptive defensive front caused problems for LSU's offensive line, previously regarded as a strength. Penalties plagued South Carolina, including a needless personal foul that erased a potential pick-six touchdown.

South Carolina's freshman quarterback, LaNorris Sellers, proved instrumental in propelling the Gamecocks to a 24-16 halftime lead. Unfortunately for the team, Sellers suffered an ankle injury, sidelining him for the rest of the game. Without him, the Gamecocks struggled to maintain their momentum, allowing LSU to claw their way back into contention.

Although LSU outplayed South Carolina in the second half, they still kept the game perilously close. A failed conversion on a fourth down near the goal line, a long untouched touchdown run by Rocket Sanders, and a fumbled snap that resulted in a South Carolina field goal showcased the Tigers' ongoing struggles. Blocked punts and squandered red-zone opportunities compounded their woes.

Coach Kelly, known for his ability to improve teams over time, faces challenges this season without the presence of Jayden Daniels, who had patched up numerous deficiencies in previous seasons. Freshman running back Caden Durham provided a late-arriving ground game for LSU, but the reinforcements from the highly anticipated 2025 recruiting class won't arrive in time to salvage the current season.

While LSU managed to avoid disaster with the missed South Carolina field goal at the end of the game, the overall performance left many questioning the team's potential moving forward. Coach Kelly's September track record against Bowl Subdivision opponents stands at 5-4, raising concerns about his ability to navigate the crucial early stages of the season.

South Carolina's head coach, Beamer, exuded confidence throughout the game, even after his team's thrashing of Kentucky the previous week. He had boldly declared that the bandwagon was getting full, and initially, it seemed to ring true as the Gamecocks established a commanding 17-0 lead in the first half. However, their inability to maintain sustained pressure without Sellers ultimately worked in LSU's favor.

As the final whistle blew and Alex Herrera's potential game-tying field goal drifted wide, LSU breathed a sigh of relief. While the Tigers provided moments of anxiety for Coach Kelly, this narrow victory allowed the team to salvage their season and keep the bandwagon from emptying completely.

The challenges faced by LSU highlight the need for Coach Kelly to make adjustments with the imperfect ingredients at hand. Though freshman talents like Caden Durham provide glimpses of promise, Kelly must find a recipe for success with his current roster. Time will tell if these adjustments will be enough to secure a successful season for the Tigers.

As Coach Kelly reflects on this hard-fought victory, he knows there is still work to be done to fully inspire confidence in his team's playoff aspirations. The pressure continues to mount as the season progresses, and LSU must find a way to overcome their deficiencies and turn their imperfect ingredients into a winning formula.