Kirk Herbstreit: LSU 'recalibrated' after loss to Florida State in Week 1, back on track

Kirk Herbstreit believes the LSU Tigers are getting back on track following their disappointing Week 1 loss to Florida State.

Brian Kelly and company got their first win of the season in Week 2, dismantling Grambling State in the process. As the Tigers look to continue their upswing after being beaten in their opening contest, Herbstreit explained why it’s all part of the process for LSU.

“That’s part of the process of changing where they were as a program, and who they’re trying to become. I think Brian Kelly is getting this team to understand that if you do things the right way, this is what we’re capable of doing,” explained Herbstreit, via ESPN’s College GameDay on Saturday. “I personally think the setback in Week 1 to Florida State benefits LSU longterm. I think it sent a message to them. I think what he said, ‘We think we’re this Georgia team, winning back-to-back, we’re not that.’

“So I think they’re recalibrated so to speak, and I think the line of scrimmage, as always in the SEC, is the difference. LSU’s too good up front.”

Alas, LSU will look to continue their impressive play in Week 3, as they take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs. It’ll be a stiff return to SEC play, but these are games Kelly’s team must win if they’re to compete in the conference, and they believe they can do that and more.

LSU, Brian Kelly looks forward to Mississippi State

While Mississippi State is undefeated, their passing game is nothing to gawk at. MSU averages just 194.5 passing yards per game, ranking 102nd in the nation.

While Brian Kelly doesn’t expect dominance from his secondary, he hopes to see the unit take a significant step forward.

“We knew that we were playing new players back there,” Kelly said. “Talent is only one part of the equation. It’s developing the consistency and doing the little things that require playing at a high level.

“We’ve done much better in Week 2,” Kelly said. “All of those things are going to be work in progress for us. We competed well for the ball in the air. I think what we’d like to see better is our technique to improve, the fundamentals and probably the tackling.”

LSU’s defensive backs are inexperienced. The Tigers were forced to restock the cupboard at the cornerback position this offseason after losing two starters, Jarrick Bernard-Converse and Mekhi Garner. Kelly didn’t expect immediate perfection.

Nonetheless, the 61-year-old head coach demands improvement. Watch LSU’s secondary aim to impress as the Tigers square off against MSU at noon ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

On3’s Grant Grubbs contributed to this article.