Brian Kelly previews matchup with Auburn: 'We'll certainly have our hands full'

Auburn–LSU is an underrated rivalry in the SEC, where weird things can happen in the game dubbed ‘The Tiger Bowl’ — especially at Jordan-Hare Stadium. LSU’s Brian Kelly will be playing in the game for the first time, looking to begin conference play 2-0. He knows what kind of task is ahead of his team.

During his Thursday press conference, Kelly had some complimentary words for Auburn, saying they’re a “talented” and “athletic” team. It sounds like Kelly knows there are no easy games in the SEC, especially when you’re on the road.

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“We know we have a challenge in front of us,” Kelly said. “They’re talented, they’re athletic.”

Auburn is coming off a whacky game themselves, somehow defeating Missouri in overtime. Even with the hot seat head coach Bryan Harsin is on, the Tigers found a way to get a win last Saturday. With another big-time opponent coming into town, they will be extra motivated on the Plains.

As for Kelly as LSU, it was a relatively comfortable nonconference win against New Mexico State. The first SEC game the new head coach experienced was at Tiger Stadium over Mississippi State. Going on the road will be a completely new experience for Kelly in the purple and yellow.

Harsin got off to a good start in his career against LSU, getting the program’s first win in Baton Rouge since 1999 just a season ago. It’s been nearly 30 years since Auburn won three in a row in the series. Kelly will be looking to block that accomplishment on Saturday.

Brian Kelly provides update on Armoni Goodwin

LSU had multiple players banged up in last weekend’s 38-0 blowout against the New Mexico Lobos. On Thursday night, Kelly revealed some bad news that many Tiger fans were fearing, according to Brody Miller of The Athletic. LSU running back Armoni Goodwin has been ruled out this weekend against Auburn.

Goodwin was seen grabbing the back of his leg following a tackle in the New Mexico game. He was down on the ground for a little bit and was tended to by the LSU trainers, before heading into the medical tent and then the locker room with Tigers’ medical personnel in the third quarter. He eventually returned to the sideline. Before leaving the game, he had eight carries for 24 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.