Practice Heats up As First Game Approaches

BATON ROUGE -- LSU picked up the pace on Tuesday as the second-ranked Tigers continued their preparations for next week’s season-opener against Mississippi State with an extended workout here at the Charles McClendon Practice Facility.

The Tigers will conduct a morning workout on Wednesday before giving the players the day off from practice on Thursday.

“It was a good long (practice),” LSU coach Les Miles said. “We are obviously getting a lot of things done. Tomorrow morning we’ll give them another good go and then give them a break. We’ll let the players get off their feet and relax for a day and a half to two days. We’ll get some legs back and get into our game week routine.”

With the Mississippi State game being held on a Thursday, the Tigers will begin their game week routine starting on Friday.

Tuesday’s workout again had the Tigers practicing in weather that saw the temperatures near the 100 degree mark. Miles said it’s something that his team needs to get used to.

“The weather has been hot and that has benefited us,” Miles said. “You have to play in this (heat). You have to condition in it. The players need to recognize how it feels to perform in these conditions.”

The Tigers have used the first two days this week to begin its preparations for the Bulldogs as LSU has gone against the scout squad during team drills on both days.

“The tempo (of practice) has to be faster,” Miles said. “We can’t accept two-a-days’ style of practice. It’s got to be a quick, upbeat tempo. We really round them into shape these next three practices, and when they come back, the tempo will speed up yet again.”

Against Mississippi State, the Tigers will face a much-improved squad from last year’s team that posted a 3-9 overall mark. LSU beat the Bulldogs, 48-17, in week five last year in Tiger Stadium. Miles said his team understands the challenge of next week’s contest against Mississippi State.

“I know we are playing a quality team,” Miles said of the Bulldogs. “You don’t have to tell me. Our football team understands it too, playing at their place. There is enough warning just watching the film that we are preparing for a quality opponent.”

“Their defense will be sticky. Offensively, they have a veteran line and a big tailback, and they are playing at home in their first game. We expect that we will get their best shot.”