It’s been a relatively quiet spring for the LSU football team.
Too quiet.
No major contributors suffered a serious injury, there’s no quarterback controversy to stir and the Tigers are almost surely a preseason top-5 lock.
It only makes Saturday’s National L-Club Spring Game that much more revealing.
The annual spring tilt between a divided Tiger roster will be the last look fans get at the team until September, but the day will be as much about looking back as looking forward.
With a pregame tailgate, a ceremony honoring last year’s Southeastern Conference championship squad and recognition for cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu’s postseason awards, the game itself seems like the undercard.
While LSU coach Les Miles admitted the festivities are nice, it’s still a work day for his team.
Miles said LSU won’t “reveal any secrets” during the game, but that execution concerns him more than the playcalls.
“It’s going to be a typical Spring Game,” Miles said. “That doesn’t mean these guys will take it lightly. We want to be productive and balanced and game-like in the intensity to compete.”
Fan intensity this spring has been trained on junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who has taken the starting reigns after two years of waiting behind erratic veterans.
“I’ve used the spring to find out what it takes to win,” he said. “These guys – my offensive line and the receivers – have my back, and we’ve reached a trust level with each other. That’s what we hope to show [Saturday].”
Mettenberger reportedly threw for 177 yards and three touchdowns during a closed scrimmage in Tiger Stadium last weekend.
Despite his solid spring start, the junior transfer said his consistency hasn’t reached his expectations.
“As a quarterback, you’re expected to be efficient, and that means being the same guy every snap,” he said. “I missed a couple throws during the scrimmage that the receivers should expect better.”
With an experienced offensive line, a stable of running backs and the secondary’s strength, the rushing game might be on more display than Mettenberger.
The Tigers piled up 287 yards on the ground during last Saturday’s scrimmage, with junior Spencer Ware tallying 90 yards and freshman Jeremy Hill impressing with 56 yards.
One back who won’t see action is junior Michael Ford, who has missed the entire spring with an undisclosed, minor knee issue.
Mathieu, linebacker Tahj Jones, receiver Kadron Boone and center P.J. Lonergan are also questionable for the game.
The defensive line was also “nicked up” last week, according to Miles, who said that it contributed to LSU’s impressive rushing output.
Miles said the first half would be “almost completely” game-like but said the second half will feature a running clock and situational emphasis.
One area Miles said he will have a keen eye on is the Tigers’ special teams, which earned acclaim last season for its crushing hits, consistent kicking and game-changing plays.
“This game is different, so the special teams becomes a spot where we usually have to mix and match our talent because the guys are scattered, position-wise,” Miles said.
Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
 
 
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Contact Chris Abshire at [email protected]