LSU head coach Brian Kelly met with the media on Monday and discussed LSU’s next opponent: Vanderbilt.
The Tigers are coming off three-straight losses and hoping to use back-to-back home games to finish the season on a high note.
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea is a former assistant of Kelly’s, having worked on staff at Notre Dame.
“It’s a tough, physical defense,” Kelly said, “They play it in a manner to keep the points down, and I think defensively just do a really good job in terms of balance against the rush and against the pass.”
Kelly spoke about the Commodores offense, highlighting QB Diego Pavia.
“Obviously the offensive structure has changed. Diego Pavia leads their team in rushing, completion percentage at 60%. He’s a tough, hard-nosed player and he is the guy that makes it happen for them,” Kelly said.
Kelly said he was impressed with offensive line and special teams too.
LSU has struggled to stop running QBs and option football this year and the Tigers will be tested again on Saturday.
“You’ve got to defend the running game,” Kelly said, “It’s really a triple option in a lot of ways.”
Kelly compared it to his time playing Navy at Notre Dame. LSU saw an option attack last year when it hosted Army, winning that game 62-0.
This game is more challenging than it was when it first appeared on LSU’s schedule. Vanderbilt is having a breakout year under Lea. The Commodores opened the season with a win over Virginia Tech and carried it into SEC play, upsetting Alabama and beating Auburn on the road.