AUDIO: Nick Saban, Brian Kelly share thoughts on SEC Teleconference

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — We’re one step closer to a top-10 matchup between No. 6 Alabama (7-1, 4-1 SEC) and No. 10 LSU (6-2, 4-1 SEC) this weekend. Like every week during the season, the media was given access to all 14 head coaches during the SEC Teleconference on Wednesday morning.

Of course, that time included Alabama coach Nick Saban and LSU coach Brian Kelly. Listen to those availabilities below, and also get the full transcript from Saban’s part. Then, head on over to the Talk of Champions message board for more in-depth discussion about the upcoming game.

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Nick Saban transcript

Opening statement…

“This is a really challenging game for us. LSU’s very well-coached, and they’re playing as well as anybody in the country to this point in the season. They’ve got great balance on offense. Their defense has been really consistent and tough and create lots of issues and problems. Jayden Daniels is probably as good a quarterback when it comes to passing and running as anybody you’re gonna face. So, a really challenging game for us. The focus has been good on our team’s side. We’ve just got to attach ourselves to the right things so that we give ourselves the best chance to play well.”

On his advice to Brian Kelly about the LSU job…

“Not to divulge anything that I talked to anybody else about, but LSU, the people have great passion there. It’s a really good football job in every way. You’ve got a lot of good players in the state and you’ve got great support and great passion. And he’d done a really good job of creating sort of the intangibles that you need to have to have a really good team. So, I’ve always thought LSU is a special place because of the passion and the people and the commitment they have to a standard of excellence.”

On how confident he is in Alabama’s run game…

“LSU’s got a very good defense, and their front seven is really, really good. So, it’s gonna be a challenge for us. It’s just something that we’ve got to focus on what we need to do to execute and do the things that we need to do a little bit better. That’s what we can control, that’s what we need to do. But I think having balance on offense is really important to being successful, so that’s what we’re focused on.”

On LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and the difficulties of facing a mobile QB…

“I think it depends on what you’re playing, whether you’re playing zone or man. If you’re playing man, you’ve gotta watch your man, so you can’t watch the quarterback, too. But look, I think Jayden Daniels has played well all year. I think their whole offense, being in a new system – whether it’s the receivers, the offensive line, the running backs – they’ve all gotten more confident in their ability to execute and understand what is expected of them to be able to execute successfully. And I think he sort of has benefitted from the same things, much more comfortable with the system, and that’s enhanced his ability to improve and play better. Not that I thought that he ever played poorly. I just think that their whole offensive team has sort of developed through the course of the season with a better understanding of the whole offensive system and scheme.”

On Alabama CB Eli Ricks and finding his way onto the field against Mississippi State…

“Eli just had to go through a lot of transitions here in terms of what he had learned before and trying to learn our system and getting confident in it. We always thought he could be a really good player. I thought he played well in the last game. Hopefully, he’ll be able to build on that and stay focused on the things that he needs to do to execute well at his position.”

On whether or not he’d consider that 2011 Alabama-LSU game to be old school football…

“Yeah, I remember a lot about it, but it was a great game. There were a lot of great players on the field. Both teams competed extremely well in the game. We came up short in the game, but it was a physical, tough game. But I think the one thing that kind of shows you from 2011 to now is how much the game has really changed in a lot of ways. I’m not saying it didn’t change for the better, but that was — like you said — old-fashioned football, probably at its finest, with two really good teams. But it’s a lot different now in terms of how people play.”

On if game-planning was easier for defensive coaches back then…

“It still came down to your ability to execute. Even though there was more running, more smashmouth, you had to play physical and you had to beat blockers and you had to block people. Even though the game plan may have been a little bit simpler, the challenges were still pretty significant.”

On his thoughts about Alabama’s offensive line…

“I think the bye week has done them well. I think we’ve been able to improve pretty significantly over this week, and we’ll see and make an assessment of how they play in the game, which is the most important thing.”

On the development he’s seen from Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry...

“He’s been a pretty consistent player. I think ability to stay focused and sustain the season is always important. The way you practice is important, develop good habits in practice. There’s nobody on our team that can’t improve and play better, but Kool-Aid’s had a pretty consistent year to this point.”