Scoring expected to be at a premium in SEC West duel
(more)

1.  Kicker Josh Jasper might be called upon quite a bit against Alabama’s stingy defense.

2.  So far, LSU’s special teams units have been up to the challenge.  (Which seems to be out of the norm for SEC teams this year.)

3.  LSU fans will need to keep their eyes on the Tide’s Mark Ingram and Rolando McClain tomorrow.

4.  Brandon LaFell and Terrance Tolliver are easily the conference’s best one-two punch at the receiver position.

5.  Don’t expect the quarterbacks – one who takes too many sacks (Jordan Jefferson) and the other who struggles in the red zone (Greg McElroy — to outshine the defenses tomorrow.

6.  The Tigers’ offense has been improving, but it will get its toughest test from Alabama.

7.  Les Miles wants to see more of tailback/fullback Stevan Ridley in LSU’s attack.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Jordan Jefferson says he has to try to be perfect against Alabama’s defense.

2.  Patrick Peterson is looking forward to his one-on-one battle with Julio Jones.

3.  Linebacker Kelvin Sheppard is having a breakout season for the Tigers.

4.  Here’s an odd fact: the road team in the Alabama-LSU series is 27-11-1 since 1970.  That’s hard to believe.

5.  According to this notes column, Les Miles says he’s been playing “Sweet Home Alabama” at practice this week.  He also says that he doesn’t know the lyrics which I find impossible to believe.

6.  Facing Terrence Cody this week, center T-Bob Hebert knows he’ll have to stay low and drive with his feet.

7.  Miles believes his team might actually need to slow down a little bit in practice.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

Notes from Les Miles’ teleconference:

* LSU is “relatively healthy.”  The team has practiced well this week.

* Jordan Jefferson is getting better because he’s getting more and more on-field experience.   He’s taking advantage of coverages better.

* Terrance Tolliver “comes off the practice field spent.”

* Asked if the Nick Saban versus Les Miles talk has died down, Miles said he’s never given any though to that and it’s always about Alabama and LSU to him.

* Alabama is “good, capable and well coached.”  Miles did not get into specifics when asked to explain what he’s concerned about in facing Bama.  He did say it’s hard to find weaknesses on Alabama’s team.

* If LSU plays the way they can play, “we’ll be happy with the outcome.”

* Rolando McClain does a good job of getting his teammates into the right positions.  “A very bright player who understands the intricacies of the game.”

* Miles expects both offenses to “move more slowly than they’d like.”

* Julio Jones is “a tremendous receiver.”  “There’s no difference in the plays that he makes… from a year ago.”  “They use him run and pass.”

* LSU is getting more confident on offense.  “I feel like there’s a commitment to excellence there and a comfort with what’s being called.”  “We’re getting better.”


*

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Nick Saban likes the improvements his Alabama team made during their open week.

2.  LSU’s defense is preparing for a physical Tide offense.

3.  Cornerback Patrick Peterson will be put in charge of slowing down Bama receiver Julio Jones.

4.  The Tigers will also have to stop Heisman candidate Mark Ingram.

5.  Ingram looks to improve over his five carry, six yard performance against LSU last year.

6.  Kelvin Sheppard is the first Tiger linebacker since 2002 to record three consecutive double-digit tackle games.

7.  The Tide feel their offense is ready to get rolling again.

8.  On the other side of the ball, Tiger center T-Bob Hebert will have to deal with massive nose tackle Terrence Cody.
 
9.  Les Miles isn’t playing down the significance of this week’s game.

10.  In basketball news, Trent Johnson has decided to hold closed-door scrimmages against Division I teams (like South Alabama last weekend) rather than open exhibitions against small colleges.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  The coaches say Saturday’s game is about LSU versus Alabama, not them.

2.  This writer feels the game won’t be hyped as Coach versus Coach.

3.  But this writer — correctly, in my opinion — says the game still IS about Les Miles versus Nick Saban.  (Miles will not even say Saban’s name, which this writer says, “may show more inferiority than gamesmanship.”)

4.  Regardless of the focus of the hype, the Tigers are ready for a big-game atmosphere in Tuscaloosa.

5.  Ciron Black says he loves “going to Alabama because it is hostile.”

6.  Stevan Ridley hopes he’s played his way into LSU’s tailback rotation.
 

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  LSU’s linebackers continue to improve and thrive.

2.  Freshman Thomas Parsons made a nice impact at fullback against Tulane.

3.  With Tulane behind them, LSU can finally focus on Alabama and the Game of the Year in the SEC West.

4.  Miles tries not to talk about Nick Saban… possibly because some LSU fans still prefer their past coach to their current one.

5.  This writer believes LSU’s “stock is clearly rising” while “Alabama is backsliding.”

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

Tigers roll over Wave in perhaps the final game of historic series
(more)

Ending storied rivalry least of Tigers’ issues
(more)

1.  LSU’s turnover-forcing defense is one of the best in the SEC.

2.  The Tigers’ defensive starters even forced their way back into the Auburn game to try to make a meaningless, late-game stand.

3.  Offensive lineman Will Blackwell has had three different stories written about him this week.  Here’s the latest.

4.  LSU is a 35-point favorite to win their 18th in a row against Tulane.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Former Tiger player and coach Jerry Stovall talks about the LSU-Tulane rivalry that starts coming to a close this weekend.

2.  Here’s another story on offensive lineman Will Blackwell… who has helped the resurgent LSU running attack.

3.  Receiver Terrance Tolliver is having a breakout season for the Tigers.

4.  According to this notes column, Jordan Jefferson was back at practice yesterday after missing time earlier this week with a respiratory illness.

5.  Jefferson’s stats got a boost from his performance against Auburn.

6.  Freshman Russell Shepard was glad to get into the end zone last Saturday.  “I went from having 160 touchdowns (actually 98) in high school to struggling to get touches, so it was an amazing feeling.  I went from being a high school sensation to waiting my turn — waiting for anything.”

7.  In basketball news, LSU held a scrimmage last night that ended in a 46-46 tie.

8.  Bo Spencer and Garrett Green looked good in bouncing back from injuries.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Tulane coach Bob Toledo says he’s hoping for a respectable showing against LSU.  “I want to be competitive, I want to not embarrass ourselves.”  George S. Patton he’s not.

2.  Offensive lineman Will Blackwell isn’t playing a lot, but when he does play, he plays well. 

3.  A pair of former high school teammates will be reunited when the Tigers and Green Wave meet up on Saturday.

4.  On the hardwood, Trent Johnson wants to see more intensity out of his basketball team.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

Notes from Les Miles’ teleconference:

* Miles felt like his team improved against Auburn.  Jordan Jefferson played one of his better games.  “Our defense played strong and continues to build on the season.”

* Bob Toledo does a “great job” at Tulane.

* LSU used their open date to work on “very specific things.”  “The open date is a tremendous piece to health” and toward academics.  LSU was able to “re-gear” their legs.  Miles would like to see another open date added to he college football season.

* Asked why LSU has had some recent struggles with Tulane, Miles said that Tulane played well and that it wasn’t about his team playing poorly.

* Miles thinks his team recognizes where they are in their season and that they will need to improve every single week to reach their goals… and the first step in that is Tulane.

* “We’ve always kind of recruited Texas well.”  Miles believes “there’s a strong SEC following in the state of Texas” and it’s close enough for players to have their families come watch them play at LSU.

* “You better come up with a great plan” offensively every week in the SEC this year.  “There are great defenses in this conference.”  “It’s tough to judge what a great day (on offense).” 

* Miles thinks the days of looking at a 400-yard day as a “good day” are over due to improved defenses and new clock rules that limit plays.

* Miles is in favor of an early signing date for football, but he doesn’t want to shake up the current calendar.  He would like to see a late-November or early-December date for committed prospects to sign.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Saturday’s romp over Auburn allowed LSU’s coaches to get more of their freshman onto the field.

2.  Les Miles says Jordan Jefferson’s performance shows that the young quarterback is making good progress.

3.  LSU has their last matchup with Tulane on Saturday… and then a trip to #2 Alabama in a game that could decide the SEC West race.

4.  The Tigers say they won’t look past the Green Wave.

5.  Glenn Guilbeau of Gannett Louisiana writes that Saturday’s win served as a jumpstart for LSU’s season.

6.  Former safety Harry Coleman is having a strong season at outside linebacker in John Chavis’ new defense.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

LSU takes command early in rare lopsided victory over Auburn
(more)

There will be interesting matchups all over the field when LSU and Auburn collide Saturday, but there might not be a more meaningful or intriguing showdown than the one that’s been taking shape all week in meeting rooms.

(more)

1.  Tailback Charles Scott’s numbers aren’t where they were last year and LSU is determined to change that in the season’s second half.

2.  Former LSU player Al Richardson will watch his son suit up for Auburn on Saturday.

3.  Auburn corner Walter McFadden has some bad memories of his last trip to Baton Rouge.

4.  Auburn’s offensive woes might sound familiar to Bayou Bengal fans.

5.  In basketball news, here are some of the same quotes we brought you yesterday from Trent Johnson and Tasmin Mitchell.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

Coach Trent Johnson on forward Tasmin Mitchell:

“We are very excited about Tasmin Mitchell.  Never before have I seen someone as committed to his school and his program as much as Tasmin is.  As good as he was last year, he is even better this year.  He is one of the best players on this team, in this conference and potentially in the country.”


Tasmin Mitchell on how this year’s team compare to last year’s:

“This is a whole new team.  We lost some great guys last year, but this is another team.  We are trying to make our own identity.  Last year was a great year and we had a great run.”


More quotes can be found here.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Linebacker Kelvin Sheppard says “Auburn has always been a downhill, smashmouth football team and they’ve taken that and expanded on it with all the misdirection.”

2.  LSU’s defensive line rotation has kept key players fresh late in ballgames.

3.  LSU corner Patrick Peterson and Auburn corner Walter McFadden talk “at least every other day.”  They’re first cousins.

4.  Come Friday, the duo might partake in some “trash texting.”

5.  According to this notes column, opposing defenses are stacking the line of scrimmage against LSU, daring them to attack downfield.  So far, they haven’t.

6.  And this notes column reports that true freshman Dominique Allen might get some time at fullback on Saturday.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

Notes from Les Miles’ just completed teleconference:

* The staff and team got a lot accomplished during their open date.  LSU’s “health is much better.” 

* The defense is playing with more confidence and they have a better understanding “of what’s wanted from each call.”  “It’s improving weekly.”

* Chad Jones “has done great. … He’s really applied himself to the position.”  “He’s really becoming a well-rounded safety. … He’s seldom making mistakes.”

* “We’re trying to get (Charles) Scott’s numbers up, to be honest.”  LSU wants to make a concerted effort to run the ball better.

* Scott is “a very, very team-oriented guy.”  “He just wants to play.”

* “Our team understands that all we have to do is improve, play well, take care of each opponent one at a time and we can control our own destiny.” 

* LSU’s team took the Florida loss “with a grain of salt” because they know that their goals are still attainable.

* The offensive calls that have been made have “certainly been the right calls,” but Miles wants to run the ball more efficiently and throw the ball more down the field.  Execution is the key.

* Wow.  Maybe I was wrong about the officiating questions.  Quick session for Miles today.  Few questions.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Les Miles said his team spent a lot of time during its open date working on the deep ball.  “Our guy (quarterback Jordan Jefferson) can do that.”

2.  The quarterback “controversy” in Baton Rouge was “born in the irate realms of cyberspace and nursed by the media.”  In reality, there is no controversy.

3.  This notes column reports that receiver Terrance Tolliver still believe the Tigers “can compete for a national championship.”

4.  LSU needs its D-line to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

5.  One key for LSU in beating Auburn on Saturday: win the fourth quarter.

6.  Miles defended offensive tackle Ciron Black yesterday.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Unbelievably, with a 5-1 record and Top 10 ranking, some fans and reporters are wondering if Jarrett Lee might replace Jordan Jefferson at quarterback.  Les Miles has news for those folks: “I like the development of our quarterback that’s currently our starter.”

2.  LSU fans should also get used to the Tigers’ “check with me” system at the line of scrimmage.  At least until Jefferson feels comfortable enough to make checks on his own.

3.  Miles was on a “coachspeak” roll yesterday: 

“The measure of our season will be made not on what we’ve done but what we will do.” 

“The team that improves the most from this point forward has every opportunity to be in the title game.”

“He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere.” 

(One of these quotes is NOT a Miles quote.  Guess which one.)

4.  LSU’s offensive players get a kick out of watching the New Orleans Saints’ offense do what they themselves cannot.

5.  The Tigers who are coming to Baton Rouge this weekend — from Auburn — are also trying to kickstart a sputtering offense.

6.  Linebacker Kelvin Sheppard says Auburn tries “to get you thinking one way and then go the other.  If you get caught up in that, they can gash you.”

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Despite the fact that LSU’s defense has carried the team this season, players like linebacker Perry Riley believe the defense “can keep getting better.”

2.  Ranked 9th in the BCS, LSU still controls its own destiny when it comes to climbing.

3.  During the open week, the Tigers got some rest and went back to work on some basics.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Safety Chad Jones says this open week “has been like training camp all over again, and nobody likes training camp.”  Maybe Miles is putting his team through the ringer because he’s just 2-2 following open dates since taking over in Baton Rouge.

2.  Quarterback Jordan Jefferson said yesterday that he needs to take more chances.  Miles said, “I don’t know if ‘chances’ is exactly the word I’d want to use.  I think he means to throw the ball down the field maybe a little more, and make sure it’s a timely, wise decision.”

3.  Offensive lineman Lyle Hitt said of the Tigers’ 18 sacks allowed, “We can’t give up those sacks, and Jordan’s got to have that clock in his head to either tuck it and run with it or get rid of it or do SOMETHING with it besides holding it.”

4.  In basketball news, Tasmin Mitchell wants to see if he can lead his new teammates to great heights.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Does LSU need to run the ball more?  It sounds like that’s the way Les Miles is leaning.

2.  Here’s a game-by-game breakdown of the Tigers’ offensive numbers.  And in some cases, yes, they are quite offensive.  (Bah-dum-bum.)

3.  Regarding freshman quarterback Russell Shepard, Miles said, “We’re trying to get him and us into the flow of the offense, and right now we’re not calling his number appropriately and we’re not getting him onto the field within the flow of offense and that’s certainly an issue for us.”

4.  Miles also said, “We studied and came to some points where we could improve.  Those spots, those positions, we’re working on, and some is strategy and some is personnel.  And it’s an ongoing evaluation.”

5.  Miles is also looking forward to talking to the SEC about Florida’s controversial touchdown last week in which it appeared receiver Riley Cooper gained leverage on the play by grabbing a cornerback’s jersey. 

As I said earlier this week, after benefiting greatly from a bogus celebration penalty two weeks ago, I think the Tigers should probably steer clear of crying about officials for a while.  Just me.

6.  On the basketball front, an already short-handed LSU team had a few too many injury concerns this summer.

7.  Trent Johnson faces a tougher season this year than he did last year.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts