By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
BATON ROUGE – No miracles happened in No. 13 LSU’s open date week to solve the Tigers’ problem of having no experienced cornerbacks available for Saturday’s SEC West showdown at No. 8 Alabama.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly confirmed here at his weekly in-season press conference that the Tigers’ trio of transfer corners – Zy Alexander (Southeastern), Denver Harris (Texas A&M) and Duce Chestnut (Syracuse) – remain out of action.
Alexander has a lower-body injury and Harris and Chestnut are apparently still in Kelly’s doghouse. However, Kelly has never used the word “suspension” when explaining their absences for the last several weeks.
In an injury tradeoff, starting offensive right tackle Emery Jones Jr. has been given the green light after sitting out the Army game on Oct. 21 with a sprained ankle. On the flip side, starting defensive tackle Mehki Wingo underwent surgery last week (he missed the Army game with a lower-body injury) and is out for the rest of the regular season.
Kelly’s depth alternatives to the missing three transfer cornerbacks are true freshmen Ashton Stamps, Javien Toviano and Jeremiah Hughes and sophomore Laterrance Welsh.
“They’re elite players coming out of high school,” Kelly said of LSU’s inexperienced underclassmen corners. “Now, you’re putting them in a position where they just have to be confident and trust what we’ve taught them and taking that trust and putting it from preparation to performance and, and playing emotionally at a level which allows them to do their job.
“Yes, they haven’t played a lot of SEC games, but they’re quite capable of going out there and playing at a high level. They know what they’re doing. They understand our techniques, and they know what’s expected of them. We’re in a position where we feel comfortable and confident that they can go out and get the job done. You have to have confidence in your players and their ability to do it.”
As far as Wingo’s replacement, Virginia senior transfer Jordan Jefferson has been a consistent force off the bench all season. He has 21 tackles (1 fewer than Wingo) and 4½ tackles for loss (1½ more than Wingo).
“Jordan Jefferson has played at a high level,” Kelly said. “He’s graded out probably as our best defensive tackle. He’s physical at the point of attack, uses his hands well, he’s getting great separation, his gap integrity has been outstanding.”
KNOW YOUR ENEMY
No. 13 LSU (6-2 overall, 4-1 in SEC West) at No. 8 Alabama (7-1, 5-0 SEC West), Bryant-Denny Stadium, Saturday, 6:45 p.m. (CBS)
Last game for Alabama: Won at home 34-20 over Tennessee on Oct. 21. The Crimson Tide trailed 20-7 at halftime. Alabama scored on its first four drives of the second half and outscored the Vols 27-0 in the second half when the Tide outgained Tennessee 225 to 129 yards total offense. ’Bama QB Jalen Milroe completed 14 of 21 for 220 passing yards and 2 TDs, the fifth time in seven starts this season that he has thrown for at least 220 yards and at least 2 TDs.
Series record and last meeting: Alabama leads the series 55-27-5. Last season in Baton Rouge, LSU won 32-31 in overtime. LSU QB Jayden Daniels ran for a 25-yard TD in OT and then threw the game-winning 2-point conversion pass to freshman tight end Mason Taylor. There were six second-half lead changes and a tying field goal by Alabama in the final 30 seconds.
Alabama head coach: Nick Saban (291-70-1 in 28 seasons, 201-28 in 17 years at Alabama)
THIS AND THAT:
Early betting line: Alabama is favored by 3½ points
Number of Louisiana natives on Alabama roster: 5Number of Alabama natives on LSU roster: 2
Number of transfers on Alabama roster from 4-year schools: 7 players from 7 schools including 6 players from 6 Power 5 Conference schools
ALABAMA PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB Jalen Milroe (99 of 153 for 1,617 passing yards, 13 TDs, 5 interceptions and 142 rushing yards and 5 TDs on 77 carries), RB Jase McCllelan (569 rushing yards, 4 TDs on 122 carries), WR Jermaine Bond (23 catches for 508 yards, 5 TDs, SAM LB Dallas Tumer (34 tackles, 11½ TFL, 8 sacks, 10 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles), JACK LB Chris Braswell (32 tackles, 9 TFL, 6½ sacks, 6 PBU), CB Terrrion Arnold (40 tackles, 5 TFL), PK/KO Will Reichard (15 for 15 FG, 25 of 25 extra points and 48 KO for 63.4 ypko, 30 touchbacks), P James Burnip (36 for 48.2 ypk, 6 touchbacks, 10 fair catches, 13 inside the 20, 15 50 yards or more), Kendrick Law (8 for 196), PR Kool-Aid McKinstry (11 for 58 yards)
POP QUIZ
- How far is it from the SEC headquarters in Birmingham to Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium?
A. 98,736 yards in penalty flags thrown against Alabama opponentsB. A 50-minute drive for Nick Saban
C.58.4 miles
D. All of the above
- Who are the only two opposing head coaches to beat Nick Saban in back-to-back seasons in his 17 years as Alabama’s head coach?
A. Terry Bowden and Bobby Bowden
B. Frank Beamer and Shane Beamer
C. Les Miles and Hugh Freeze
D. Mack Brown and Watson Brown
- What is the hometown of legendary former Alabama quarterback Broadway “Joe” Namath?
A. Gopher Gulch, N.D.
B. Beaver Falls, Pa.
C. Weasel City, W. Va.
D. Lizard Ridge, Tx.
ANSWERS 1. D 2. C 3. B
Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia.com