As the number of ticks on the clock until the 2014 Advocare Texas Kickoff quickly diminishes, Tiger coach Les Miles seem no closer to revealing a starting quarterback than he did after spring camp.
Not only has Miles kept a tight lid on whether he plans to start sophomore Anthony Jennings or freshman Brandon Harris against No. 14 Wisconsin, but he’s had fun doing it.
“We’re going to send them both out there,” Miles told Jack Arute on SiriusXM College Football Nation on Wednesday. “They’ll each stand behind a guard, and when we’re ready, one will step behind the center and the other will go in motion.”
But regardless of who takes No. 13 LSU’s first snap of the season, Miles has made it clear both Jennings and Harris will receive significant playing time in the Tigers’ opener against the Badgers.
This has raised questions as to how the offense will respond to switching back and forth between quarterbacks throughout the course of a game.
“I think the biggest adjustment will be for the offensive line getting used to hearing a different voice within the cadence and the receivers with timing,” said LSU senior running back Terrence Magee.
Magee did not express any concern, however. He expects both young quarterbacks to execute well under the direction of LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.
The Tigers’ wide receiver corps also displayed confidence in Cameron’s system, saying they don’t predict any trouble transitioning between the two dual-threat quarterbacks.
“Those guys are very much alike,” said LSU freshman wide receiver John Diarse. “We don’t try to adjust to either quarterback. We’re just out there doing what we’re supposed to do, and everybody’s taking care of their part.”
Luckily for Jennings and Harris, they will be protected by a stable of experienced starting offensive linemen — three of which played more than 800 snaps last season – who weigh in at an average weight of more than 320 pounds.
This and a solid group of athletes at skill positions surrounding the duo could go a long way in helping the young signal callers grow throughout the course of the season.
“[We plan to throw to tight ends] a lot more than last year, for sure,” said LSU sophomore tight end DeSean Smith. “It depends who we play and what we’re going to do against which team, but we have great running backs here and we have a great young receiving corps and a great load of tight ends.”
Wisconsin entered the week with a quarterback controversy of its own, faced with a decision between their 2013 starter junior Joel Stave and junior Tanner McEvoy, an athletic dual-threat who played safety last season after transferring from Arizona Western.
While multiple outlets have reported Wisconsin intends to start McEvoy, it has not played much of a role in the Tigers’ preparation on defense.
“We are relly preparing for both guys,” Miles said. “I think somebody said that Tanner McEvoy may well be the starter. Doesn’t make any difference at this point. We’re preparing for what is Wisconsin’s best.”
LSU junior cornerback Jalen Collins said the Tigers’ quarterback battle has actually benefited the defense as the duo has helped it prepare for multiple options.
“We don’t have as much tape on [McEvoy], but I feel like our quarterback situation has kind of helped us with that, too,” Collins said. “Our quarterbacks being mobile and going against them in fall camp, I feel like that’s also aided us in preparing for this game.”