LSU's Brian Kelly takes shot at Alabama

It was a big jump for Brian Kelly. Going from Notre Dame — where he was inarguably the head honcho of the Fighting Irish for over 10 years — to LSU was a risk.

Not only was he starting over with a new program, but he also took his talents straight into the heart of SEC Country. The SEC West is as tough as it gets. LSU, a blue-chip program, isn't even the undisputed top dog in its own division. Kelly took the job knowing that he'll have to do battle with Ole Miss, Auburn and Texas A&M every season.

Oh, and there's also that pesky little Alabama program and its head coach. You know, Nick Saban? The very same coach who has seven national championships to his name, including one as head coach of LSU?

Going to LSU was a big risk indeed for Kelly, but after a 10-4 season that saw him beat Saban and pick up a signature 32-31 overtime win over Alabama, Kelly seems to be in a great mood this spring.

“I love the environment of a college stadium. I love coming out on that field,” Kelly told onlookers at the Houston Touchdown Club on Tuesday, per the Houston Chronicle's Brent Zwerneman. “I love beatin’ Alabama.”

Talk your trash, Coach Kelly. We can't say you didn't earn it last year.

For what it's worth, LSU's head coach seems to believe that the Tigers will earn more bragging rights this upcoming season as well — and he's not just thinking about Alabama. He wants to win the SEC in its entirety.

“Well, I think we’re getting closer to that,” Kelly said after LSU's spring game when asked about the Tigers' ability to win the SEC championship, per On3. “I think, you know, clearly the area of concern for us is in depth. We’re not at 85 scholarship players, yet. We’re below that line. So, two or three key injuries puts us in a very difficult position.

“We should be able, in the SEC West, to sustain some key injuries to key players. I don’t believe we’re at that point, yet. If we, knock on wood, stay injury free and continue to develop, we’re gonna be fine. But, that’s not where you want to be in this league. You have to, I think, go into a season and expect to lose some key players and still win this league."