Sand Mountain Reporter

PART SEVEN OF A SERIES

If LSU head Les Miles can get his mind off Nick Saban, his Tigers might just rule the Southeastern Conference West, as well as the rest of the league.

Saban, the new head coach at Alabama, was Miles’ predecessor in Baton Rouge.

In the winter, Miles used expletives when mentioning Alabama while addressing Tiger gatherings. The coach later apologized for his remarks.

Despite having four players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, Miles’ team returns a multitude of talent.

LSU brings back eight starters from a defense that ranked third in the nation.

Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey made first-team All-America in 2006. He had 64 tackles and three quarterback sacks.

Defensive end Tyson Jackson was selected second team All-SEC after recording 10 tackles for a loss and eight sacks.

Another defensive leader will be linebacker Ali Highsmith, a second team all-conference selection last fall. Highsmith had 63 tackles and three sacks a year ago.

Matt Flynn will take over at quarterback for JaMarcus Russell, who was the No. 1 pick in the draft.

Flynn will be working with new offensive coordinator Gary Crowton, who is known for running wide-open attacks.

The top returning receiver is Early Doucet, who caught 59 passes and had eight touchdown receptions in 2006.

LSU faces a tough schedule, but most of those games are in Baton Rouge, including a non-conference battle against Virginia Tech.

Of course, the game Miles and Tiger fans have circled on their calendars is Nov. 3 in Tuscaloosa.

Miles is 2-0 against Alabama.

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Publisher: Ben Shurett

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