No. 4 LSU overcomes distractions to face No. 3 Oregon

Before the preseason polls came out and before both Oregon and LSU received top-5 rankings, the anticipation for the season-opening showcase in Arlington, Texas, had already reached a fever pitch.

But as the countdown to game time dwindled, the marquee matchup quickly became more about the players missing the game than the ones suiting up.

No. 4 LSU lost three starters — two for disciplinary reasons and one for injury — days before the opener, and the Tigers have faced a slew of off-field distractions that have tested the team's resolve.

Senior right guard Will Blackwell said the Tigers have overcome every offseason challenge to focus on the matchup with No. 3 Oregon.

"Before we take the field we always line up behind the end line, and [LSU] Coach [Les] Miles leads us on the field," Blackwell said. "When we do that, we leave everything that's not related to the game or practice behind us. Family problems, teammate problems, girlfriend problems, whatever that might be, and we vow to focus on the task at hand, and that's football."

The task at hand for the Tigers will require them to handle the runners-up in last season's national championship. The Ducks return 13 starters from the team that cruised to the Pac-10 championship in 2010.

"They are very talented," Miles said. "[Oregon Coach] Chip Kelly has done a magnificent job since he has been there. I watched all three of their phases and they have talent at every spot."

And perhaps Oregon's most talented players all line up on one side — the offense.

Junior quarterback Darron Thomas — a second-team All-Pac-10 selection in 2010 — and junior running back LaMichael James — who finished third in last season's Heisman Trophy voting — return to lead a fast-paced Oregon offense that Miles said can run a play every six to eight seconds.

That doesn't seem to faze sophomore defensive end Sam Montgomery.

"These guys run like track players, but they're agile like basketball players," Montgomery said. "They can move very quickly between two yards. I used to play basketball myself, and all our defensive linemen are athletes. It's going to be a pretty good battle."

Since Texas A&M also ran a similar fast-paced offense, LSU began preparing for an up-tempo offense before the Cotton Bowl. The Tigers utilized freshmen Jakhari Gore and Jerrard Randall to simulate James and Thomas during the offseason.

"[Oregon] gets a lot of guys tired, not ready and not set, so they break big plays because people aren't in their right lanes," said sophomore defensive tackle Michael Brockers. "We've been running tempo plays faster than they run them to be prepared for what they run."

But despite all the recognition the Oregon offense received, the defense earned respect in its own right. The Ducks finished No. 12 in the nation, allowing just 18.7 points per game.

Despite the loss of junior cornerback Cliff Harris, who was suspended indefinitely after being cited for speeding while driving with a suspended license, Miles said the Ducks' unfamiliar defensive scheme will pose some challenges.

"They're a very talented group," Miles said. "They have a nice scheme that's difficult to master in a short week. Thank goodness we have some time."

Having time has typically paid off for Miles, who holds a 16-2 record in games in which he had more than a week to prepare. But with so many changes to the starting lineup, Miles has been forced to adapt.

Sophomore wide receiver Kadron Boone will fill in for Shepard, who was suspended for an NCAA violation. Senior offensive guard T-Bob Hebert will step in for Josh Dworaczyk, who could potentially miss the entire season due to injury.

Perhaps the biggest shoes to fill come from Jordan Jefferson, who was suspended after being charged with second-degree battery. Much-maligned senior quarterback Jarrett Lee will return to the field with the confidence of his coach.

"If there is a guy that was baptized under fire, that had to come to the field very quickly and that had to learn on the run, that was Jarrett Lee," Miles said. "He is really looking forward to playing full games. He is excited to have the opportunity that he came here to do."

With the turmoil of the offseason behind the team, Montgomery said he's eager for game day.

"I just can't wait to get back out there," Montgomery said. "I'm so anxious. I'm tired of practice."

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Contact Hunter Paniagua at hpaniagua@lsureveille.com