By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
BATON ROUGE – LSU head football coach Brian Kelly provided a preview in his in-season weekly Monday press conference of what he’d like to say to the media after Saturday’s season-opening battle at No. 4 Clemson.
“I want to have this conversation with you after the game that we competed the right way, that our composure was amazing, and we played with great confidence,” Kelly said of comments usually made after a victory.
What he doesn’t want is a repeat of his postgame press conference rant following last year’s season-opening 27-20 loss to Southern Cal in Las Vegas when the Tigers were outscored 14-3 in the fourth quarter.
“We’re sitting here again, we’re sitting here again,” said Kelly, pausing to pound his fist on a table, “talking about the same things, talking about not finishing an opponent in a position to put them away.
“What we’re doing on the sideline is feeling like the game’s over, and I’m so angry about that I’ve got to do something about it. I’m not doing a good enough job as a coach. I’ve got to coach better.”
This also involves acquiring veteran, seasoned players from the transfer portal who have started and played in enough games to handle the pressure.
At least eight of LSU’s 19-man Class of 2025 transfer portal will start, and many of the others will get substantial playing time.
“After our Baylor win the (Texas) bowl game (last Dec. 31), we went to work on our roster and the process of developing this football team,” Kelly said.
“When you’re putting together the DNA of a football team, it’s not just about talent acquisition. It’s making sure that you have the pieces necessary to compete in those moments, right when there’s a turnover, when there’s sudden change, or when momentum is not going your way. What’s the makeup of your team?
“So that when we get to these moments, it’s having a confident team that plays the game the right way in a hostile environment, plays with composure and competitiveness.
“You make sure you recruit the right guys. And this is a team that we were very intentional about in terms of going out and getting mature players that can stand up to those moments.”
Here’s Kelly on other topics:
On LSU’s depth
“It’s an evolution. This is about depth, and probably the most depth we’ve had on the roster. Now, we still have to go out and play and perform at the highest level, but I would just say what’s different is that it’s a mature group that has played a lot of football. At the end of the day, we’re not going into a game where we can’t handle the moment.
“We’re going to play a number of defensive ends and defensive tackles. The same thing is true on the offensive line. You’re going to see more than just five guys out there.”
On the improvement of the defense
“I just think there’s a lot of confidence back there. It’s the way they handle themselves, the way they play. They believe in themselves. There’s a trust factor that they’re going to go make a play. I think it starts with confidence. Confidence comes from playing the game. A lot of those guys that are back there now have played a lot of football.”
On the idea of colleges being allowed to play an exhibition game or host another team for a preseason scrimmage
“I thought it was the rage, and now you see the NFL backing out of them, because they’re really physical, and it puts your guys at risk. There are some things I do like about it, but sometimes you bring in another team, and they have something that they want to prove against you. They’re not in the right emotional zone. They do some things that maybe put you at risk with your top guys. My initial feeling is we’d have to be very careful.”
KNOW YOUR ENEMY
No. 9 LSU vs. No. 4 Clemson, Memorial Stadium, Clemson, S.C, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. CT (ABC)
Series record and last LSU-Clemson meeting: LSU leads 3-1. In the 2019 CFP national championship game, LSU QB Joe Burrow threw for 463 yards and five TDs and ran for another in a 42-25 win in New Orleans.
Clemson head coach: Dabo Swinney (180-47 overall in 17 seasons overall and at Clemson).
THIS AND THAT
Appearance fee paid by Clemson to LSU per game contract: $500,000.
Early betting line: Clemson favored by 3½ points.
Betting tip: In its last 10 games vs. SEC teams, Clemson is 2-8 against the spread, including four straight ATS losses.
Number of Louisiana natives on Clemson roster: 1 (redshirt freshman WR Parker Fulgham, Shreveport-Evangel Christian)
Number of South Carolina players on LSU roster: 0
Number of transfers on Clemson roster from 4-year schools: 4 players from 4 schools
CLEMSON PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB Cade Klubnik (3,639 passing yards last season, 36 TDs, 6 interceptions), WR Antonio Williams 75 catches for 904 yards, 11 TDs), DT Peter Woods (32 tackles, 5½ TFL, 3 sacks, 5 QB hurries), LB Wade Woodaz (89 tackles, 7 TFL, 3 sacks, 7 PBU, 10 QB hurries), PK Nolan Hausar (18 of 24 FG, 59 of 60 extra points).
DID YOU KNOW. . .
Two of LSU’s three Heisman Trophy winners have thrown TD passes vs. Clemson in wins that clinched national titles and unbeaten seasons. Quarterback Joe Burrow, the 2019 Heisman winner, threw five TDs in LSU’s College Football Playoff national championship. Halfback Billy Cannon, the 1959 Heisman winner, threw a TD pass in LSU’s 7-0 1959 Sugar Bowl victory to win the Tigers’ first-ever national championship.
Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com