Kalen DeBoer evaluates LSU, Lane Kiffin ahead of Week 9 matchup
By Jacob Moss
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Kalen DeBoer and the No. 10 Alabama Crimson Tide are preparing for what is now their most important game of the season, when they travel to Baton Rouge to face Lane Kiffin and the No. 15 LSU Tigers.
With SEC Championship and College Football Playoff hopes potentially hanging in the balance for both squads, the stakes couldn’t be much higher. A loss could deal a significant blow to either program’s postseason aspirations, making Saturday’s showdown a must-win matchup.
DeBoer discussed the challenge awaiting his team when speaking to reporters on Wednesday afternoon, highlighting LSU’s strengths and praising the Tigers’ players and coaching staff.
“Just explosive offensively,” DeBoer said. “Got a front that really gets after the passer. But does a nice job all around. And so, when they get rolling as a football team, it’s been really impressive what they can do to their opponents. And so, this last week, you could just see them have a presence from the very get-go and execute at a high level. A lot of really good football players, and obviously, they do a really good job as a coaching staff, putting their guys in positions to have success.”
The Alabama head coach also had plenty of praise for Kiffin and the job he has done in his first season leading the Tigers as well.
“I think he’s a very good coach. He’s won a lot. And I mean, extremely experienced and done it at different places. And so, I think it’s more than just an offensive mind, probably, that a lot of people look at and think of when they think of Coach Kiffin. It’s how to put a team together, and he’s done a great job again here, bringing these guys together throughout this season and continuing to keep them growing and moving forward.”
DeBoer clearly respects Kiffin and the LSU program, and that respect is well founded. If he wants to escape Death Valley with a win, then he and his team will likely have to put together their best game of the year.
