Les Miles doesn't name a starting QB, but he's starting Danny Etling
Les Miles didn’t specifically say Danny Etling would start at quarterback against Mississippi State this week, but he did say the next best thing.
“I can’t imagine that Danny Etling would not take the first snaps, but we’re going to let the week play out,” Mlies said Wednesday on the SEC teleconference.
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That’s good news for LSU fans that have been fed up with the uneven performance of Brandon Harris so far this season. Etling replaced Harris last week in a win over Jacksonville State and completed six of his first eight passes and threw three touchdowns.
Harris, on the other hand, threw a game-losing interception in the season opener against Wisconsin and threw incompletions on his first four passes against Jacksonville State, which prompted the benching. And Harris didn’t take the replacement well as he quickly left the field following the win.
Harris’ frustration is understandable since he’s started LSU’s last 14 games, but his play so far this year has been detrimental to the Tigers’ success. Miles is definitely on the hot seat and the season opening loss to Wisconsin didn’t help. With conference play starting this week, Miles needs to have a competent starting quarterback in place before the season gets away from him and the Tigers.
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Miles said he spoke with Harris about the quarterback change and let him know that despite possibly (probably) not starting, he’s still a valuable part of the team.
“That’s certainly the issue, making sure he knows that this is a team and that his talents and abilities need to be prepared going into the game,” Miles said. “I think he understands that. We visited with him. We would think he would understand his role, one in which would allow him to compete from this point forward to start.”
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
