Tennessee at LSU Preview

By Darrell Laurant  |   Monday, September 26, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
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No, that's not a misprint — the Bayou Bengals have only played one game so far in 2005. The LSU Tigers' opener was cancelled rather emphatically by Hurricane Katrina, and last week was an open date. In between, Les Miles' team pulled off a dramatic victory at Arizona State, 35-31, on a late touchdown pass from JaMarcus Russell (who had Fats Domino, his girlfriend's grandfather, sleeping on his apartment couch at one point after Katrina) to Early Doucet.

The Tennessee Volunteers, meanwhile, didn't generate much of an attack in a 17-10 struggle over Alabama-Birmingham and a 16-7 loss to Florida. The Vols obviously have a stout defense, sacking Gator QB Chris Leak five times last week, and DE Parys Haralson, DT Jesse Mahelona and DB Jason Allen were all on pre-season All-America watch lists. The offense, however, has been quite offensive to a Volunteer fan base with still-warm memories of Peyton Manning, Jamal Lewis and Travis Henry.

Part of the problem lies, or stands, under center. Fulmer started Rick Clausen at quarterback in the opener, Erik Ainge in the second game, and Ainge will open on Saturday (7:45 p.m. EDT) in Baton Rouge. As every coach knows, the downside of the two-headed QB approach is that it often confuses your team as much as the opposition, not to mention causing whichever signal-caller happens to be in the game to fret about making a mistake. No doubt Clausen would love to see either Clausen or Ainge establish himself once and for all.

Tennessee does have a pro prospect at running back in Gerald Riggs, Jr., whose father had a credible career in the NFL.

LSU, as always, flashes speed in multiple positions. Doucet and Skyler Green will be snagging passes in the pros someday, Russell can run and throw, and RBs Joseph Addai and Shyrone Casey are solid. The defense is more problematic, having surrendered 560 yards last week to Sam Keller and Arizona state in Tempe.
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