To see a video from Miles’ press conference, click here.
Tiger fans can expect to see true freshman Jordan Jefferson a little earlier than some may have anticipated.LSU coach Les Miles said the team anticipates a competitive game against Troy on Saturday, and Jefferson will see playing time at quarterback during the first half.”I’d like to have him play a series or two in the first half — in the second quarter or maybe late in the first,” Miles said. “Certainly [Jarrett] Lee would like to take every snap, but I think he understands maybe there’s a little change in the lineup that might benefit him.”Miles also addressed the performance of the wide receivers this week.”We really talk to the receivers about what’s going on through the game, including correcting routes,” he said. “Those guys misplayed balls. They responded in a fashion that they understand the corrections and need to apply some work.”Miles said senior safety Curtis Taylor is expected to play Saturday after seeing limited action in the punt return game against Alabama, and senior center Brett Helms also practiced. After losing for the third time this season against Alabama, Miles said the team’s bowl projections are still not a concern to him.”I promise you I will talk to the team more about [bowls] on Thursday night,” he said. “I really see the answers coming from our hard work in practice and preparing for this opponent. You want a real capable opponent — you want to be tested — in a bowl that is representative of the team we are.”The Tigers are mathamatically eliminated from playing in the Southeastern Conference title game, leaving their chances at a BCS bowl slim to none. Some projections have LSU playing in the Cotton or Outback bowls — both of which are played on New Year’s Day.Miles also emphasized the leadership of players that continues to emerge even through adversity.”Most of the veterans on this team understand what it’s like,” Miles said. “They’ve been through this before, not necessarily a third loss, but we’ve never gone through a season undefeated. There have always been those times where you have to regroup and play again. This is one of those.”—-contact Rachel Whittaker at [email protected]