LSU’s Brian Kelly on whether he wants to play Alabama every season: ‘Heck yeah’

One of the reasons Brian Kelly wants a nine-game conference schedule is so LSU can play Alabama every year.

Yes, you read that correctly.

On Tuesday at the SEC spring meetings in Destin, the LSU coach made it clear that the matchup between his Tigers and Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide is the very best college football has to offer.

“I love Alabama,” Kelly said, per 247 Sports. “I love Nick (Saban). I love that kind of matchup. I mean, I was in (Tiger Stadium) for that game, and I can tell you that there’s not a better atmosphere of college football than being there between two teams that are competing at that level. That’s why I came to the SEC, to play in those kinds of games.”

LSU beat Alabama 32-31 in overtime in Kelly’s first season in Baton Rouge.

When Kelly was asked if he wanted to play Alabama every season, he replied, “Heck yeah!”

In March, it was reported that LSU’s three permanent opponents for the proposed nine-game SEC schedule would include Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas A&M. In the same month, Kelly told ESPN he wanted to continue to play Alabama each season. The comments came days after Saban expressed displeasure about the SEC’s proposed new scheduling model that would still include an annual Alabama game against LSU.

Speaking at a Houston Touchdown Club event earlier this month, Kelly talked about LSU’s win over Alabama.

“I love the environment of a college stadium. I love coming out on that field,” Kelly said. “I love beatin’ Alabama.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Music App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.