AP News, November 23rd, 2007
LSU fans have finally warmed up to Les Miles.
Whether they see him coach another game in Tiger Stadium after Friday remains to be seen.
The game for "the Golden Boot," a trophy shaped like Arkansas and Louisiana, routinely provides a compelling end to the regular season for the Tigers and Razorbacks. But this year's edition carries even more subplots than usual.
No. 1 LSU (10-1, 6-1) needs a win to carry national championship hopes into the Southeastern Conference title game Dec. 1 in Atlanta. Arkansas (7-4, 3-4) might be playing for coach Houston Nutt's job.
Then there's that vacancy at Michigan, where Miles played, was an assistant coach and is now being talked about as a prime candidate to take over the Wolverines' storied program.
"We're not letting any of that (Michigan talk) get in our heads," LSU linebacker Luke Sanders said. "We're focused on Arkansas, because it really has an impact on what our whole season's going to be."
Miles avoided discussing Michigan at length during his weekly luncheon with reporters on Monday, pausing, watery-eyed, to compose himself as he asserted that he loves his current team and wouldn't do anything to hurt it.
The coach stopped short of promising to return next season. If he comes back, it would seem fitting that it took him time to decide whether LSU is the place he wants to be for the foreseeable future.
Tigers fans certainly took their time deciding whether Miles was the guy they wanted to lead their beloved team.
Miles had the good fortune of inheriting a squad loaded with talent (see the four first-round draft picks in 2006) when he took over for Nick Saban in 2005. During Saban's two seasons in the NFL, many continued to credit the former coach's groundwork when LSU won and blame Miles when the Tigers lost. Miles was 11-2 in each of his first two seasons with a pair of lopsided bowl victories, but two losses were too many for a team with national championship aspirations.
Support for Miles began to surge this season when Saban returned to the college ranks with SEC West Division rival Alabama. Now, Miles has not only vanquished Alabama but has used daring, exciting play-calling to keep LSU in the hunt to play in the BCS title game in January in New Orleans.
Plus, he's had several highly regarded recruiting classes, keeping LSU in line for future success.
"I have a great job. I love this place. This is a place where I am comfortable and my family is comfortable," Miles said. "I don't want to talk about jobs and don't care about jobs. I don't want to involve myself in that thought process. It is counterproductive to preparation."
LSU spent the week preparing for an Arkansas offense that looked impressive in a 45-31 win over Mississippi State last Saturday. Led by Heisman Trophy candidate Darren McFadden, the Razorbacks have won three of their last four SEC contests, topping 40 points in each win.
McFadden averages 138.1 rushing yards per game; his 4,279 career rushing yards are the best in Arkansas history. If he gains more than 25 yards Friday, he'll pass Bo Jackson for third on the SEC's all-time list. Felix Jones, who has 1,032 yards and 11 TDs but has been slowed in recent weeks by a bruised thigh, will be ready for the Tigers as well, Nutt said.
Arkansas' attack has been bolstered recently by the improving health of receiver Marcus Monk, who was hampered by an early season knee injury but had three receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown last week.
"That's what makes you wish you could play September over again," Nutt said in reference to SEC losses that month to Alabama and Kentucky. "He's the biggest difference. ... It's a different scenario because you're able to throw balls up. You're able to take more shots."
LSU's statistical charts lack eyebrow-raising individual numbers. The Tigers have many players they can win with, and Miles seems willing to use them all.
Receivers Demetrius Byrd, Brandon LaFell, Jared Mitchell and Terrance Tolliver have joined senior Early Doucet and tight end Richard Dickson to give quarterback Matt Flynn a variety of play-making targets. In the running game, Miles has rotated Jacob Hester, Keiland Williams, Charles Scott, Richard Murphy and small-but-speedy track star Trindon Holliday, who's also a dangerous kick returner. Together, they average 221 yards per game on the ground.
Friday is senior day at LSU, meaning the Tigers will playing with an extra shot of emotion in a stadium where they've won 19 straight.
Nutt has to contend with all that — and rumors in Fayetteville, Ark., that he will be out as Razorbacks coach after the game. Arkansas athletic officials are denying that, for now, while Nutt has sought to deflect scrutiny.
"I don't think our people sometimes realize how hard it is to get to Atlanta" for the SEC title game, Nutt said.
"Your players deserve the credit of playing in the toughest league in America," he said. " ... I just appreciate their effort. I think attention needs to be brought to those guys."
