MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The College Football Playoff National Championship brought out the stars, but one familiar face in the VIP suites had her mind back in Baton Rouge. Former LSU gymnastics sensation Livvy Dunne attended Monday night’s clash between the Miami Hurricanes and the Indiana Hoosiers at Hard Rock Stadium, offering a backhanded compliment to the venue that instantly lit up social media.
Dunne, known for her massive social media following, posted two stories from her seat high above the field. While soaking in the electric environment of the title game, she couldn’t resist comparing the ACC/Big Ten energy to Saturday nights in the SEC.
“No Death Valley but still cool.” — Livvy Dunne via Instagram
The jab lands harder considering where her Tigers are sitting. While Dunne watched Miami and Indiana battle for the crown, LSU is licking its wounds after a catastrophic season. The Tigers finished a dismal 7-6, capped off by a Texas Bowl loss to Houston. The program is currently in rebuild mode after firing head coach Brian Kelly mid-season following a 5-3 start—a move that cost the university millions but signaled an end to patience in Baton Rouge.
The contrast between Dunne’s view from the suite and the reality back home is stark. While LSU stumbled under interim coach Frank Wilson, the two teams on the field Monday night executed historic turnarounds.
Miami, led by Mario Cristobal, defied the odds. Despite missing the ACC title, they stormed through the 12-team playoff bracket, knocking off heavyweights Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Ole Miss to reach their first title game in the modern era.
Indiana, on the other hand, arrived as the unbeaten Big Ten champions. Coach Curt Cignetti, in just his second year, erased the memory of last season’s first-round exit to build a juggernaut. For Dunne, it was a night of “what could have been,” watching two programs peak while LSU hits the reset button.
As the confetti falls in Miami, the focus in Louisiana shifts to the future. With Kelly out after a 34-14 overall tenure, the Tigers face a long offseason of searching for an identity. For now, LSU fans—and Livvy—have to settle for watching the big games from the stands.
