Brian Kelly is really good at the third grade thing.
In each of his past three terms, his program has had a breakthrough in the third season. He hopes to continue that trend when he begins his third season as LSU’s head coach in 2024.
The Tigers could be one of the SEC’s surprises this season, and Kelly said he’s focused on day-to-day process, “which usually works well at my other sites.”
In 2006, Kelly’s third season at Central Michigan, Chip improved from 6-5 to 9-4, won the MAC West, and Kelly left for Cincinnati.
In his third season with the Bearcats in 2009, Kelly’s team improved from 11-3 to 12-0 and reached the Sugar Bowl after the coach transferred to Notre Dame.
In 2012, Kelly was in his third season with the Fighting Irish, where his team improved from 8-5 to 12-1 and reached the BCS Championship Game.
(Incidentally, during Kelly’s first tenure in Division II Grand Valley State, his third team fell from 8-3 to 6-3-2 in 1993, though he ultimately won the 77% of games).
As Kelly enters his third season at LSU, the Tigers are trying to improve on two 10-win seasons and claim one of 12 spots in the expanded CFP.
When Kelly came to LSU from Notre Dame, LSU had just 39 scholarship players, and the coach said his third team would be the deepest Tigers he’s ever had. The key to LSU’s breakout will be whether it can be more balanced than it was a year ago.
Heisman Trophy quarterback Jayden Daniels led the team’s most efficient offense, but the Tigers fell out of SEC title contention thanks to one of the worst defenses in school history.
Kelly said he believes the program has achieved its offseason goals and “made great strides to bring our defense up to the standard it needs to compete for a championship.”
He changed defensive coordinators, replacing Matt House as the Tigers’ coordinator with former LSU assistant Blake Baker, an SEC Raiders prospect from Missouri in 2023. Key contributors.
Kelly also brought in defensive line coach Bo Davis from Texas in an attempt to upgrade the unit, improvements that will be critical to the fortunes of the defense and the entire team.
More effectiveness at the line of scrimmage will make linebacker Harold Perkins one of the most dynamic defenders in the country. If the cornerbacks can prove they can handle more man-to-man coverage, Baker hopes to increase the aggressiveness of the defense.
As for the offense, no one expects Garrett Nussmeier to replicate what Daniels did before joining the NFL’s Washington Commanders. But if Kelly gets the defensive improvements he desires, one of the top offensive lines in the country and a group of skilled runners and receivers should set Nussmeier up for success.
Nussmeier has played in just 18 games in three seasons and made his only start when Daniels sat out the ReliaQuest Bowl in January. Nussmeier threw for 395 yards and three touchdowns against Wisconsin.
After former coordinator Mike Denbrock left Notre Dame, Joe Sloan took on coordinator and play-calling duties and retained his position as quarterbacks coach.
Nussmeier isn’t as much of a running threat as Daniels, but his arm strength is outstanding. Improved decision-making should make him one of the most efficient passers in the SEC.
In addition to its annual SEC challenge, which includes a road game against conference newcomer Oklahoma State in the regular-season finale, LSU also faces USC (Sept. 1 in Las Vegas (season opener on Sept. 1 in Las Vegas) and UCLA (season opener on Sept. 1 in Las Vegas) have challenging non-conference games.
Kelly’s first two teams got off to slow starts, losing to Florida State in the opener at the Kaiser Superdome two years ago and last season in Orlando. If this team can win in the opening game, it can lay the foundation for a breakthrough in the new season.
The Tigers host Vanderbilt, avoid Georgia, Texas, Missouri and Tennessee, and host Mississippi State and Alabama.
