Tigers gear up for road test against SEC opponent Tennessee

There must be something in the water.

For the second week in a row, LSU's dominating defense will face a backup quarterback facing his first start of the season.

While the No. 1 Tigers (6-0, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) took advantage of Florida's backup last weekend in a 41-11 rout, LSU coach Les Miles says Tennessee's Matt Simms will provide a challenge.

"Simms played very well a year ago against us in our stadium," Miles said. "We understand that they're still very capable no matter who they play at quarterback."

Last season, the Volunteers gave LSU fans one of their biggest scares of the season.

In the Tigers' 2010 matchup with the Volunteers, the Tiger Stadium clock hit zero with Tennessee leading 14-10. But a penalty against Tennessee gave LSU a second chance, which the Tigers converted with a one-yard touchdown by running back Stevan Ridley.

"We definitely got kind of lucky last year," said sophomore safety Eric Reid. "We don't want to make this a close game, and hopefully we come out with a victory and don't give everybody a heart attack."

If Tennessee (3-2, 0-2 SEC) needed any more motivation before facing the No. 1 team in the nation, Reid said last season's game will provide it.

"Especially with the way we won last year, they're going to have a chip on their shoulder," he said. "They're going to want this game a little more than they usually would."

The game will be a homecoming for LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis, who played football at Tennessee from 1976 to 1978 and also began his coaching career with the Volunteers in 1979 before returning in 1989 as an assistant.

Chavis served as defensive coordinator for the Tennessee from 1995 to 2008 before taking the same position at LSU.

"Certainly he's maintained relationships back there and roots for them when they're not playing LSU," Miles said. "He'll want to represent his past by being an excellent defensive coordinator against Tennessee this coming Saturday."

Reid said the emotional aspect of the game won't be too much to handle for Chavis, who will return to coach in Neyland Stadium for the first time as a Tiger.

"Coach Chavis is always about his business," Reid said. "He knows in his mind that he's from Tennessee, but he's here at LSU now, so he has to approach this game like any other game and get the business deal completed."

Tennessee's offense, which ranks No. 10 nationally with 344 passing yards per game will go up against a potent LSU defense which is No. 5 in the nation in total defense, allowing only 254 total yards per game.

Sophomore defensive end Barkevious Mingo said the defense is excited to face a pass-heavy offense.

"We take that as a challenge as a defensive line and the defensive backs," Mingo said. "They don't want to get 100+ yards thrown on them, so they're going to carry that on their shoulders."

This weekend will serve as the first road test for the Tigers while ranked the No. 1 team this season.

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Contact Albert Burford at aburford@lsureveille.com