LSU coach Les Miles said he wanted to keep LSU’s starting quarterback decision “in house” this week against Mississippi State.
After a short two-minute stint of cell phone difficulties, Miles hopped on the Southeastern Conference’s coaches’ weekly teleconference call on Wednesday morning and was asked who he plans on starting at quarterback against the Bulldogs.
“We’re going to keep that in house if you don’t mind,” the coach answered.
The decision stayed “in house” for nearly eight seconds.
Miles essentially implied redshirt junior Danny Etling will start on Saturday.
“I can’t imagine that Danny Etling won’t take the first snaps, but we’re going to let this week play out,” he said.
On Wednesday afternoon during his weekly post-practice press conference, Miles reiterated the sentiment.
“We’re going to watch and let things unfold. I would guess that Danny would take the first snap,” he said. “He’s practicing hard. He looks good. He’s doing things that he should be doing.”
Etling replaced junior quarterback Brandon Harris in the second quarter on Saturday against Jacksonville State, adding 100 passing yards and a touchdown in the quarter. Miles did refrain from naming an official starter though.
He said LSU has “visited” with Harris this week.
“We’ve visited him and we think he understands his role,” Miles said.
No matter the quarterback, Miles says LSU will not adjust its offense to fit either quarterback specifically.
Miles said LSU’s offense will be the same no matter who the quarterback is.

https://twitter.com/CBoutwell_/status/776074671141769220

Leonard Fournette ‘expected’ to play Saturday

Miles said he would expect tailback Leonard Fournette to play on Saturday, without officially saying Fournette is good to go.
“He continues to get better, and we really want to wait until he’s 100 percent,” Miles said. “And he’s really closing in on that right now. We expect that we may have him for Saturday.”
During the afternoon presser, Miles said Fournette had a “full practice” on Wednesday.
“Nice practice,” Miles said. Full speed ahead.”
Fournette suffered a “contusion, a nice bruise,” as Miles called the injury, on a lengthy carry in the fourth quarter against Wisconsin and sat out last week against Jacksonville State.
Miles did not say whether Fournette practiced on Monday or Tuesday. LSU has a walk-through practice Thursday afternoon.

Les Miles on Harris: “That’s the issue, making sure he knows this is a team … We’ve visited with him and we think he understands his role”
— Christian Boutwell (@CBoutwell_) September 14, 2016