Brian Kelly shifts from sidelines to studio, lays out 2026 outlook for LSU and Notre Dame

Brian Kelly will be back at the center of college football in 2026, but from a broadcast booth instead of the sideline. CBS Sports named the longtime coach to its college football analyst desk for the 2026 season, giving fans a familiar voice and an insider’s perspective as he breaks down the sport he has shaped for decades. The timing is notable for two programs that have direct ties to Kelly’s coaching identity: LSU and Notre Dame, where he previously led teams in marquee eras.

Kelly’s new role also means he is no longer only an external observer of the Tigers and Fighting Irish. Ahead of the 2026 season, CBS Sports reported that Kelly is offering game-by-game predictions for both LSU and Notre Dame. Those projections underscore how his analysis will be framed, in part, around what those programs look like when you understand their recruiting, culture, and in-game decision-making from the inside.

For LSU, Kelly’s connection goes beyond familiarity with the program branding and traditions. He previously coached the Tigers at the highest level of the sport, and his perspective carries the practical knowledge of building an offense and managing high-leverage moments in the SEC. When an analyst with that background publishes a season forecast, viewers typically expect more than generic team evaluation. Instead, the value tends to come from how he anticipates style-of-play matchups, preparation for physical opponents, and how quickly a team can stabilize after roster turnover.

For Notre Dame, Kelly’s perspective is even more personal. He previously coached the Fighting Irish, and the program’s expectations, national spotlight, and preparation rhythm are not easily compared to other schools. CBS Sports’ report places Kelly’s 2026 analysis in that Notre Dame lens, with game-by-game predictions suggesting he will highlight when the team must win specific types of battles to stay aligned with its postseason profile.

Kelly’s return to LSU and Notre Dame commentary as a full-time analyst for the season will also change the way his expertise is delivered. He is no longer making calls in real time on Saturdays, where the margin for error is immediate and visible. From a studio role, he can connect a broader set of dots, tying together how early-season results can influence later games, how teams handle pressure, and how the season’s most important matchups can define the path toward the national conversation.

Still, the practical takeaway for fans is to treat predictions as one form of evaluation, not a guarantee. Without seeing the full slate of Kelly’s game-by-game picks in the reporting itself, it is best to view his outlook as a framework for discussion. The real story will come when the season begins and teams either confirm his logic or force revisions through results.

As the 2026 season approaches, the bigger storyline is what Kelly’s presence indicates for college football coverage. CBS Sports is leaning into recognizable coaching voices to deepen pregame and season-long analysis. For LSU and Notre Dame followers, it also creates a new kind of continuity, with a former head coach translating his experience into daily talking points, matchup breakdowns, and expectations tied directly to the programs he knows.

Kelly’s first season in this role will likely be judged on whether his predictions and explanations remain useful as the schedule reveals its defining tests. LSU and Notre Dame supporters will be watching to see if his game-by-game reasoning matches what the games demand, and if his transition from coaching to broadcasting leads to sharper clarity on what “success” looks like over a full season in college football.