Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers are focusing on their preparations for the UCLA Bruins, who they will face in a Week 4 clash in Death Valley on Saturday.
Leading up to this highly anticipated game, the Bayou Bengals will also host South Alabama and prepare for a showdown against Ole Miss in Week 6.
Kelly’s objectives for his team over the next few weeks are to enhance complementary football, refine their schemes, and improve overall preparation.
Kelly emphasized the importance of mental toughness and resilience, noting, “This group realizes there’s more to the game than just physical play; it’s also about mental preparation. When you have a resilient team, it motivates you to coach harder and address mistakes more effectively.”
He highlighted that consistent winning habits are crucial. “Winning and losing both become habits. If we have bad habits, it’s hard to win. We have the right habits, but we need to correct technical issues, which come down to three key areas.”
Kelly is concentrating on three main areas as they move forward:
1. **Personnel:** The coaching staff has been adjusting player rotations frequently, including experimenting with different safety alignments on defense. They are still seeking the optimal rotation and evaluating which players fit best in different scenarios. Kelly stated, “We’re assessing personnel to ensure we’re using the best players in the right situations and preparing them appropriately.”
2. **Scheme:** The team has seen numerous adjustments in defensive alignments, including shifts for players like Harold Perkins and Major Burns. Kelly acknowledged the need for a more refined scheme and noted, “We need to play cleaner and more disciplined football. Even with some mistakes, we’re close to being highly effective. The key is finding the right scheme to maximize our players’ success.”
3. **Preparation:** Kelly stressed that improving preparation is vital, especially for getting off to faster starts. “We’re thoroughly evaluating our coaching methods and player placements to ensure we’re preparing effectively. Despite some mistakes, our team showed great resolve and resilience, especially with many young players involved. This is something we can build on.”
Kelly’s focus on these areas aims to strengthen the Tigers as they approach their upcoming games and strive for success in the season.
