Saturday night in Tiger Stadium has drawn many famous comments about its level of intimidation.Former Alabama coach Bear Bryant once said competing in Death Valley was like “playing inside a drum.”But, historically, the team hasn’t performed at the same level during the day, which may have Tiger fans concerned about Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. kickoff.LSU has won 92 percent of its night games during coach Les Miles’ tenure. LSU has compiled a record of 23 wins and 2 losses in night games since Miles’ hire. But LSU has won just 11 of its 16 games played before 3 p.m. The day games LSU has played against Appalachian State and Georgia this season have resulted in a 1-1 record.But those kickoff times aren’t always in the hands of LSU athletic officials.The networks LSU has contracts with dictate kickoff time, said Tommy Karam, marketing professor and team media adviser. “The game time depends on schedules for the week, and who is ranked where,” Karam said.CBS televises Saturday’s game, and because LSU has a contract with the network, it had to comply with a request to move the game from the traditional 7 p.m. kickoff time to 2:30 p.m., Karam said.Miles said he can’t control the time of the game, but he doesn’t expect any adverse effects from an afternoon kickoff.”If … they say 2:30 [p.m.], I’m going to be ready,” Miles said. “I’ll be excited. I know that Tiger Stadium at night is a great advantage for us … but considering their team is [also playing] at 2:30 [p.m.], I’m going to be excited about that time too.”Eric Duchman, team psychologist, said though history may show the Tigers win more at night, the team from recent years is just as good in the afternoon.”They are a different team over the last five years, so it’s really not that much of an issue,” Duchman said. “An 11 a.m. game is a little different because it can throw off schedules. But the administrators, staff and players will handle a 2:30 [p.m.] game just fine.”Head trainer Jack Marucci said the team tries to keep the usual pregame routine similar for afternoon games. “They may eat their meals and wake up a little bit earlier, but nothing too drastic,” he said.Marucci said afternoon games are beneficial in some ways because there is less waiting around for the game to start.Duchman agreed afternoon games can help players in multiple ways.”They like it because it usually means they get to bed earlier and have more time to rest before practice the next day,” Duchman said. “They can get to bed around 10 or 11 [o’clock], and that is a nice change to get that much rest.”LSU senior defensive end Tyson Jackson said he’s excited to have a home game — no matter what time it’s played — and he hopes fans will turn out in big numbers Saturday.”It’s an afternoon game, but it’s also in Tiger Stadium, so whether it’s 2:30 [p.m.] or 7:00 at night our fans are still going to be out there,” Jackson said. “We’ll be out there … real prepared for this game.”Marucci also said the recent cool weather has dispelled a few worries about dehydration.”Early in the season, there is so much humidity, even at night,” Marucci said. “Certainly there is a sense of urgency to attend to [the players’] hydration levels in games when it is hotter.”Senior defensive end Marlon Favorite said the weather has been particularly nice for football lately, and this game shouldn’t be any different.”The weather is pretty good, so we don’t have to worry about it being too hot,” he said. “It looks like it’s going to be a pretty decent day. Nice game in the daytime.”Senior defensive end Kirston Pittman said the team is focused on the game and doesn’t let outside factors affect them.”It’s said we play better at night, but we’re going to be ready,” he said. “No matter where it is, what time it is, the Tigers are going to be ready.”- – – -Contact Ellen Zielinski at [email protected]