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The 7-0 Bayou Bengals get set for a nationally-televised battle with Auburn.
Sound familiar, huh?
It should, because Les Miles’ bunch was in the same situation one year ago today. The only difference being that the War Eagles entered last year’s contest unbeaten as well rather than the pair of losses they currently have in 2011.
The 2010 version was a heartbreaker on the Plains that effectively took LSU out of the national title, SEC and SEC West races simultaneously despite the fact that LSU remained as one of the better teams in the nation.
At his weekly luncheon Monday, Miles dismissed any feelings of revenge his team may have in this year’s rematch.
“You recognize it’s a different team,” Miles said. “It certainly resembles that great team that they had a year ago, but I don’t think revenge is the issue. I think the want to prepare to have victory, and that’s it. I don’t think it has to do with what the score was in last year’s game.”
The Bayou Bengals will be wearing Nike Pro Combat jerseys Saturday that feature white helmets, jerseys and pants with gold replacing yellow on the stripes.
Miles felt it was important that LSU didn’t do anything out-of-the-ordinary with their alternate uniforms, and he feels the look is consistent with something LSU would traditionally wear.
“Our uniform will represent LSU,” Miles said. “It will look very much like what an LSU football team would wear. It will be maybe a little sleeker in design. I think the colors will be very historic in base, and I think you’ll like the uniform.”
But regardless of how fans react to the Tigers’ new look Saturday, what’s more important is victory and the right to enter Bryant-Denny Stadium Nov. 5 as the No. 1 team in the country.
The Tigers will attempt to achieve that victory with two quarterbacks once again, as Jordan Jefferson took a greater percentage of the snaps last week at Tennessee than he had in his two previous games this season. Miles again reiterated that Jarrett Lee is the starter, and the coaches will “make decisions thereafter.”
“I think the diversity of attack with both quarterbacks is what we want,” Miles said. “That certainly is going to give defensive coordinators issues as they prepare calls and they prepare formation attacks.”
Jefferson contributed to several scoring drives and effectively strangled the life out of Tennessee with consistent rushing in the second half, while Lee was as efficient as ever, completing 10-of-14 passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
The coach insists that there is no quarterback controversy in Baton Rouge.
“I think [Lee] enjoys Jordan Jefferson’s success at quarterback, and I think that feel makes a difference in certainly how his team sees [the quarterback situation] and how virtually everybody sees it,” Miles said.
Several players have touted recently about the simplicity of LSU’s offense this year, and although Miles wouldn’t necessarily call it simplistic, it’s quite obvious to the untrained eye that a greater sense of confidence exudes from LSU’s offensive players.
“It’s the understanding of how it’s going to be called and when it’s going to be called,” Miles said. “I think the plan is kind of evident for all participating, and I think maybe that speaks more to how it’s being displayed and coached. I think there’s a real credit due to Greg Studrawa and [Steve] Kragthorpe and that offensive staff.”
As for the men paving the way for LSU’s offense, the Tigers have had the SEC Offensive Lineman of the week honors in consecutive weeks after left tackle Chris Faulk took home those honors this week. Will Blackwell won it last week following LSU’s win over Florida.
“It’s kind of nice that some of the big guys [are getting noticed]. You have success and you move the football on the ground and you move the football in the air. [Offensive lineman] is a quiet position,” Miles said. “We’re thankful. We appreciate that guys are noticing.”
In the middle, Miles said center P.J. Lonergan will practice today. He sat out the Tennessee game with an injured left ankle, allowing T-Bob Hebert to get the start. The coach also added that Blackwell would be the Tigers’ third center if needed. With Alabama on the schedule as LSU’s next game following the one versus Auburn, the coach said there is no thought to resting slightly injured players against Auburn to make sure they are ready for the Tide.
“There’s no feel to rest anybody for any other game than to play and win in the very next contest, which is Auburn in our stadium,” Miles said.
The Bayou Bengals and War Eagles will kick off at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, and the game will be nationally televised by CBS.
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