Kalen DeBoer: Monday’s Press Conference Ahead of LSU

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- The anticipation for the Alabama vs. LSU matchup is palpable, with just four days remaining until this crucial game. As wonder builds, numerous questions arises about the implications of the game. Kalen DeBoer spoke to the media on Monday, offering his perspective.

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Opening Statement:

“Had a great bye week. Our guys had a chance to work on the things that we felt we needed to work on as a team and get a little healthier. And in a good spot. Got back to work yesterday with a good practice. High energy. Very intentional on what the job is that we’re up against going into LSU. Getting a head start on that whether it be last week or yesterday. We’ll be back at it tomorrow morning. Got an exciting week preparing for a good football team."

With both Alabama and LSU coming off a bye week, the stakes are high, as each team holds a 6-2 record. Both squads have thoroughly prepared for this pivotal game, as Alabama will be heading into LSU's territory. The Crimson Tide have struggled in Southeastern Conference road games this season, but hope to have answers heading into the matchup. “And unfortunately, as you mentioned in those two games, we haven’t done that. There’s been a lot of – in the Vanderbilt game, I think we quickly got going, had success. You just can’t dig yourself a hole, especially giving the opponent momentum in an environment like we’re gonna see at LSU. So it’s critical. We preach it every day. We try to even set up our practice to where we do start fast, whether it’s offense or defense. And we did’t get that done the last two road games, as you mentioned. Always an emphasis on that, but really, it comes back to not really – the guys are trying. It’s just a matter of doing things that you do well, going out there and executing,” said DeBoer on starting fast on the road.

The Crimson Tide must focus on the what's in front of them despite recent losses on the road, as this game is crucial for their season aspirations. Competing in Baton Rouge under the lights poses a significant challenge, but the team is prepared for what lies ahead. "You saw our response, I think, with the Missouri game. That was really the case there. I say that, and all of a sudden you start thinking, 'why wasn't that the case with Tennessee?' Well, it was. That's just more experiences that you have together, backs to the wall, there's different things that different teams respond well to. At least for the first test, and Missouri was at home, we got off to a fast start defensively, did a nice job there and just continued to apply pressure. I think offensively, once we got field position in our favor we kind of cracked through. For us, it's just always going back to really the process. The work that needs to be put in, the areas we need to continue to improve on. The guys, I use the word intentional a lot whether it's here, whether it's with our team. We have to be intentional and we have to bring that energy in order to really continue to improve, and they're doing that. They want to make something big of this season, and it's important through the action that you see on the practice field, you see it in the way they're going about their business off the field, just the details that they really continue to hone in on. It's just a matter of time, right? As the season goes on you become more comfortable with what we're doing, whether it's our scheme or just the routine, or each other. A lot of our youth is rising up and continuing to gain more and more confidence, mixed in with the veterans that continue to have great leadership. I like where we're at. Unfortunately, like you said, we have less wiggle room, and our backs are to the wall, so we're going to fight. Each and every day we're going to fight, scratch and claw like you've never seen, and that continues on this week," said DeBoer on LSU being a must-win game.

The Crimson Tide are set to build their bye week efforts, aiming to capitalize on a productive practice week. "I think last week, and this week, there's great indication, I guess this week we'll talk about yesterday's practice. There's a ton of energy, there was purpose, very deliberate in how we went out there. There's emotion and there's energy but it's really focused on the right things. The leaders, you know I challenged our team not just to have the leaders step up, but at this point have a team full of leaders. We can't have, these freshmen aren't freshmen, the new guys that are coming into this program aren't just new guys anymore. This is our team. That's been the message, but really for them to all raise their game as leaders, that means accountability for themselves, ourselves individually, and then also bring someone else with you. That's been the challenge the last couple weeks and we're going to continue to hone in on that," said DeBoer on indicators for a successful bye week.

As the Crimson Tide continues its preparation, stay updated with Tide 100.9.