LSU's goal to beat Clemson, 'being 1-0 in everything you do'

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ATLANTA -- Brian Kelly understands the expectations at LSU always revolve around national championships, but after opening each of his first three seasons in Baton Rouge with a loss, he's shifted the offseason emphasis from the end of the year to the start.

Kelly said this will be by far his most talented and deep LSU team, but none of that will matter if the Tigers aren't ready for Clemson in the opener.

"With the team that [we have] this year," Kelly said, "it's unacceptable for us not to play our very best in Game 1."

That hasn't been the case in years past, Kelly said. LSU lost to USC in last year's opener and dropped games to Florida State in 2022 -- Kelly's first…