Spring practice is over. Now it is time to play for the steaks and beans.
After commencing spring practice Wednesday, the LSU football team will split up into two squads and participate in the annual Spring Game today at 5:00 p.m. in Tiger Stadium.
LSU coach Nick Saban will act as the commissioner for the game, with the rest of the coaching staff taking care of the on-field coaching.
The winner of the game will eat steak, while the loser will feast on beans when the team returns from Spring Break.
Saban said the point of the Spring Game is to promote competitiveness and not make one team feel good about itself.
“The way we set up the Spring Game here is for the players to have fun,” Saban said. “This is not a best against the rest so everybody walks away saying, ‘Hey, these guys are really good because they scored 48 points against the third team defensive line which is mostly walk ons.’ That is not going to happen in this game.”
The sides were split up, with each team receiving its fair share of offensive and defensive starters.
Some of the marquee players playing on the white team include receiver Skyler Green, tailback Joseph Addai, quarterback Marcus Randall, receiver Michael Clayton, tight end Eric Edwards, linebacker Lionel Turner, offensive tackle Rodney Reed, defensive tackle Chad Lavalais and defensive end Marquise Hill.
Playing for the purple team will be running back Shyrone Carey, cornerback Corey Webster, quarterback Matt Mauck, wide receiver Devery Henderson, linebacker Cameron Vaughn, offensive guard Stephen Peterman, offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth and defensive end Marcus Spears.
Saban expects the game to be an evenly matched one.
“Every game that we have had so far has been very competitive,” Saban said. “The sides get divided up equally. It does not make the football team look the best, but it is the most fun for the players. It puts them in a competitive situation.”
He also said the purpose of the steak and beans wager is to up the ante a little bit.
“Both teams have a chance to win, and the steak and beans part of it is just something for each of them to rib each other about,” Saban said. “We do it up right. They do a great job at the training table putting table cloths, flowers on the tables, nice dishes. They serve them everything. This is the winners. The losers have paper plates, beans, no table cloths, no flowers, nothing. It is a really fun thing for them to do.”
No matter what the outcome is, Saban is satisfied with the spring.
“Regardless of what happens in the game, we feel like we have accomplished a lot this spring,” Saban said.