LSU coach Ed Orgeron addressed the media on Tuesday as the Tigers hit the practice field in preparation for the bowl matchup against Notre Dame. 
During practice, two defensive starters, linebacker Donnie Alexander and outside linebacker Arden Key, were missing. Key is recovering from a knee injury and pinky surgery and is ‘questionable’ at this time, according to Orgeron. 
“He hasn’t come around like I thought he was going to come around,” Orgeron said. He’s questionable right now. He’s not practicing.”
Early signing period 
Orgeron is expecting around 12 official visits this weekend with the early signing period (Dec. 20 through Dec. 22) just around the corner and recruiting ending on Sunday. 
Orgeron and his coaching staff are balancing recruiting and preparing for the bowl game, but Orgeron enjoys this time of year. 
“When I go to one home and there is some gumbo and potato salad and I went to the next home and it was the best red beans and rice and fried chicken and cornbread I’d ate in a long time,” Orgeron said. 
LSU coaches are allowed to make home visits through this weekend, the open-contact period. 
Orgeron also expects to sign around 15 of 20 commits which gives LSU an advantage to focus on the bigger recruits for National Signing Day in February. 
“[The early signing period] opens up the window to see how many scholarships you have left, what positions you need to fill,” Orgeron said. “I think the last part of recruiting is going to be more junior recruiting for us. Targeting the big time guys that haven’t signed yet.”
Since the end of the regular season, LSU has gained nine commitments from linemen, which Orgeron says is the focus of this recruiting season. 
“The goal is to rebuild the lines,” Orgeron said. 
Notre Dame focus 
The other part of Orgeron’s balancing act is getting his team ready to face a No. 16 ranked Notre Dame team in Orlando on Jan. 1. 
Orgeron said everything is about winning the game and it is the same plan he had for the team last year. 
“It’s going to be a challenge,” Orgeron said of Notre Dame’s running back Josh Adams. “Their offensive line is very good. Very physical. We have to put some big backs there in practice and practice tackling defensive linemen.” 
NFL draft decisions
One of the biggest questions surrounding the LSU football team is whether junior runningback Derrius Guice will return for one more season with the purple and gold. 
Guice first announced via Instagram that he will wait to make his decision after the bowl game. He then again via Twitter reiterated that he is committed to the team nodding at a possible return for another year. 
“That’s who he is,” Orgeron said. “Derrius loves football. He loves everyday he walks in this room. I’ve never seen him down. He wants to finish strong and I’m sure he’s motivated. A 10-win season for him would mean a lot for us and I’m not sure he’s made a total decision if he’s leaving or not yet. We’ll see.”