Brian Kelly explains how big Alabama game is for LSU

Saturday’s matchup between the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide feels like 2019’s matchup. Back then, both teams were battling it out for the SEC West and an opportunity at the college football playoffs. For most, it would be hard to put into words exactly what this game means for LSU. However, head coach Brian Kelly was able to do that in a recent appearance on ESPN Sports Center.

“Well, I think every year it’s a big game,” said Kelly. “Certainly, there’s more implications now because both teams are vying for the SEC West title. At the end of the day, this is about restoring LSU’s football to the consistent level that Nick Saban has established at Alabama.

“Certainly, in 2019, we’re a national championship team. Since that time, we have not been to the standards. My job coming here was to create the consistency and the standards that are LSU football. We gotta go prove that. And it’s gonna take playing great football against an elite program and what coach Saban has created at Alabama.”

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While this game may have huge implications for LSU postseason aspirations, Kelly is looking at this long-term. He’s in the first year of his tenure with the Tigers and is working on developing a culture that will stand the test of time. While others might be fixated on the results of this game, the LSU headman wants his team to show that they can be consistent and compete with Alabama, who have been the standard bearers in SEC football for over a decade.

However, if the Tigers can beat the Crimson Tide on Saturday, don’t expect Kelly to be upset with those results. It might signify that his plan is coming together faster than expected.

Kelly discusses need to rebuild quickly as new head coach

Speaking on the SEC coaches teleconference this week, ahead of Top 10 showdown between Kelly’s No. 10 Tigers and No. 6 Alabama in Baton Rouge, Kelly was asked about the necessity for a quick turnaround when taking a job. Kelly readily admitted that long-term plans that don’t involve early success aren’t en vogue. And yes, the transfer portal is necessary.

“There’s no patience for long-term plans, anymore,” Kelly said. “So, I think everybody goes in it with their eyes wide open that, you know, you’re looking to find immediate results. Now, things that have happened that allow that to come together are seen with transferring, the transfer portal in particular allows you to restock, if you will, in terms of bringing it more mature players. If this was just building with freshmen, the process, could, in fact, take longer. But, there are some accelerants in that sense because of the ability to transfer and the transfer portal.”