As the college football season approaches, all eyes are on Baton Rouge, where Lane Kiffin is set to lead the LSU Tigers into a new era. The expectations couldn't be higher after Kiffin's controversial departure from Ole Miss—a program he guided to the College Football Playoff despite limited resources. But not everyone is convinced he's the savior LSU fans are hoping for.

ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum isn't mincing words. "The most intriguing name on whether he's overrated or not is Lane Kiffin," Finebaum said during a call on Crain & Cone. He didn't stop there, taking a bold stance: "If LSU doesn't make the CFP this year, I would put Lane Kiffin at the top of the overrated list."

Finebaum's critique digs deeper than just one season's expectations. He points to Kiffin's track record against elite competition. "He didn't win those playoff games. He didn't beat Georgia," Finebaum noted, referencing Ole Miss's marquee matchup. While Kiffin did topple Georgia at home two years ago, his overall record against top-10 teams leaves Finebaum "somewhat underwhelmed."

For a first-year head coach, the demand to make the playoff might seem steep. But given the way Kiffin left Ole Miss—and the resources now at his disposal in LSU's powerhouse program—Finebaum's verdict carries weight. The pressure is on, and the Tigers' season will be a defining test for one of college football's most polarizing figures.