LSU football coach Les Miles knows the Tigers must be up to the task to defeat North Carolina in their season opener, regardless of which Tar Heels are on the field.
Amid the NCAA investigation surrounding the North Carolina program that could result in some suspensions, Miles said LSU is preparing for North Carolina’s most ferocious attack Saturday in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at 7 p.m.
“Until I see a starting lineup or until I get firm information, I don’t think there is much news,” Miles said. “They are too successful to change scheme based on players, and I think they’ll be very similar to what they’ve been. Maybe they’ll use a little more Wildcat [formation] than they have, but again, that’s all speculation.”
Miles again had encouraging feedback about junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson and his ability to evade defensive pressure and exercise leadership to get more plays communicated.
“We’re asking him to do very similar things we asked him to do a year ago,” Miles said. “I think he’s more capable this year of doing them.”
As far as junior quarterback
Jarrett Lee’s role in the offense, Miles said the team will have a plan if he enters the game.
Lee played in seven games in 2009 with one start against Louisiana Tech.
“There are some things that [Lee] does well, and frankly, he may have a small piece that will be his,” Miles said.
“It’s a little early to speculate whether he’ll be in the third series or the eighth series or whenever it is. Jordan Jefferson certainly is our starter at this point, and we’ll go forward from there.”
On the defensive side, Miles has yet to determine a starting safety opposite junior strong safety Brandon Taylor. He highlighted senior Jai Eugene,
redshirt freshman Craig Loston and freshman Eric Reid as potential difference-makers.
On special teams, Miles said he hopes junior cornerback Patrick Peterson will be a player he can utilize weekly in the return game.
“Patrick Peterson has not [been a return man] in a college game yet, but he has great ball skills and makes you miss,” Miles said. “And we could put in a Morris Claiborne, Russell Shepard or a Ron Brooks, guys that can … field the ball very well and get the amount of yards the return is blocked for.”
Miles said the youth on this LSU squad does not scare him.
In fact, Miles is enthusiastic about the chemistry the offensive line has developed. When asked if he thought the 2009 offensive line was the best LSU had ever seen, Miles said, “I never said that.”
“I said that if they developed and came together, they had the opportunity to be the best,” Miles said. “[The 2010 offensive line] is a little bit younger but maybe more athletic. This line is working hard and coming together.”
 
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Contact Rachel Whittaker at [email protected]