Brian Kelly gives disappointing comments about LSU’s title chances in 2023

Most LSU football fans believe the Tigers are well in the mix to win the national championship in 2023. However, LSU head coach Brian Kelly disagrees.

Brian Kelly sat down with SEC Columnist Blake Toppmeyer in June. Toppmeyer’s most interesting question was Kelly’s expectation of competing for a national championship. Unfortunately, the LSU football head coach doesn’t see the Tigers competing for a title in 2023.

"”We need another year of recruiting-one more really good year on both sides of the ball, I think, put us in a position where, I think, year three, the consistency piece, the depth of our program, the messaging, all the things we do on a day-to-day basis, puts us in a position to compete for a championship.”"

Fans must not interpret Brian Kelly’s comments as if his program is not trying to win a national championship in 2023. Like all programs, LSU is always competing for titles. However, the LSU football head coach’s comments align with his realistic expectations.

Kelly’s belief that his Tigers aren’t good enough to win the national championship this season is unsurprising. Like Nick Saban, Kelly is somewhat of a perfectionist who is rarely satisfied. Conversely, the LSU football head coach will always have his team in Death Valley preparing with the underdog mindset.

But, of course, the LSU football team can win the national championship in 2023.

The LSU football program under Brian Kelly has arguably exceeded expectations and is ahead of schedule. Moreover, the LSU women’s basketball and baseball teams won national championships in the 2nd years of Kim Mulkey and Jay Johnson. LSU baseball was the best team in the country going into and throughout most of the season. However, Mulkey’s team was ahead of schedule by winning the 2023 NCAA Women’s Final Four.

Oddsmakers currently favor the Tigers to win every game in 2023 except their clash in Tuscaloosa

The 2022 LSU football team beat Alabama and won the SEC West in Kelly’s first season at the helm in Baton Rouge. Oddsmakers currently favor the Tigers to win every game in 2023 except their clash in Tuscaloosa. However, Kelly admitted a flaw when comparing his 2022 and 2023 rosters, depth.

Kelly explained that his team relies on 13 transfer portal players on defense and does not have “the level of depth necessary to withstand injuries.”

LSU football’s depth concerns are valid. Matt Moscona did a great job explaining that teams ‘topping off’ their roster with transfer portal players is preferred. However, the 2023 Tigers rely on the portal to augment much of their defense. As such, the unit enters the new season with a heightened vulnerability.

Moreover, fans must recall that LSU football nearly skipped the spring game because of the lack of offensive line and running back depth.

Toppmeyer’s interview is behind a paywall, but Moscona recapped it on his YouTube channel.

The USA TODAY columnist also asked the Tigers’ head coach about his pronunciation of ‘family.’ Kelly responded with confirmation that he does routinely say ‘FAM-uh-lee.’