University of Wisconsin fans have been fortunate enough to see their team play in marquee games to begin the season each of the past three years.
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Now, the good news is that even if Fournette can’t play, LSU should be able to handle Jacksonville State. No one seized control of the offense and the Tigers managed just 175 passing yards.
Brandon Harris from Parkway High School in Bossier City struggled in the first quarter. Will Miles consider a quarterback change?
Yes, we did. The Bulldogs went down to Baton Rouge on a Saturday night in the valley and beat up on the Tigers. The defensive line will need to shed blocks much better than last week, and inside linebackers Kendell Beckwith and Duke Riley will have to play tight, or this offense will definitely try to hen-peck the Tigers to death with three- and four-yard gains.
“We realize the monumental task we have”, Akron coach Terry Bowden said.
Jacksonville State has a number of transfers from top-tier Football Bowl Subdivision programs – including former LSU receiver Kevin Spears, ex-Auburn running back Roc Thomas and ex-Kentucky defensive tackle Regie Meant – and the Gamecocks gave Auburn fits last season.
“Danny is the kind of guy who really prepares”. “But we’re fortunate to use a running back by committee with Leonard missing”.
Adams stressed that LSU’s margin for error is so thin, the Tigers can’t afford to underestimate anyone. Miles has said Fournette is not seriously injured and sounded optimistic that he’d be ready to play next weekend. “We’re in adversity now”.
Miles said he considered putting Etling in last week in the Tigers’ 16-14 loss to Wisconsin, but in the end he said could not pull the trigger because the situation wasn’t right. Will Danny Etling start at quarterback? Last year, Georgia started Virginia transfer Greyson Lambert, and it did so again in Week 1 before turning to freshman Jacob Eason last week. The much criticized LSU offense came out in a three wide receiver spread formation on the opening play of the game. Harris has completed 52 percent of his passes for 139 yards and has thrown one touchdown to two interceptions. Many are expecting Fournette to be a top 10 pick in the 2017 National Football League draft, but his hopes at winning the Heisman Trophy are not looking great if he’s expected to miss one or possibly two games.
“We need to allow him to show us that he can continue to do what he’s done”, Miles said when asked about how he prepares Etling this week. Lance Kendricks was the last Badger to do so, when he picked up 103 yards against Austin Peay. Just calm down, ‘ ” Miles said Tuesday.
In his absence, running backs Derrius Guice, Darrel Williams and Nick Brossette are available to handle Fournette’s workload. Wisconsin may not be on the same level as Ohio State, but the Badgers are full of confidence after taking down LSU, as they should be.
But LSU’s offense is built around Fournette, so getting him back will be crucial for a team that needs a win to silence the critics after last week’s lackluster offensive performance.
The Gamecocks, No. 5 in the nation in the FCS, return to pick on somebody their own size next week, hosting Coastal Carolina at 1 p.m.at Burgess-Snow Stadium.
-Will the rebuilt offensive line find early season continuity after some shuffling during preseason camp?
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But when you’re in that stadium, remember that LSU football is more than just Les Miles.
