Tigers play challenging non-SEC schedule

One would think a team playing in the most competitive league in college football would take it easy when playing non-conference opponents. That's not the case for the Tigers.

"This is really the hardest non-conference schedule we've had since I've been here," said senior safety Brandon Taylor. "Coming off two ranked teams … it's going to be pretty tough."

In week one, LSU dismantled then-No. 3 ranked Oregon, 40-27, holding Heisman candidate running back LaMichael James to 54 yards rushing and surprising the Ducks by matching their oft-heralded team speed.

This Saturday, LSU takes on No. 16 West Virginia, a team averaging 42 points and 368 passing yards per game.

LSU has the fifth toughest schedule in the country, according to the NCAA, with this season's opponents posting a 62.1 winning percentage in 2010.

Taylor said he is treating the daunting non-conference schedule as preparation for a stronger, quicker brand of Southeastern Conference football.

"It's really getting us ready for SEC play," Taylor said. "We're playing against bigger, faster people. Oregon, with the tempo, got us in shape. West Virginia is going to have us in sync in the secondary. ... Everything is just coming together with our defense."

Senior offensive lineman T-Bob Hebert also said he sees the non-conference schedule as an advantage rather than a detriment.

"It's definitely a tough schedule, but I think in the end it benefits us," Hebert said. "We've taken these games because we like to be challenged. We like doing hard things. I think that benefits us in the end. Playing these other teams, it makes us tougher and makes us able to compete in harsh environments and kind of gets us ready for the SEC West."

Sophomore safety Eric Reid isn't concerned with the quality of opponents, conference or not.

"We go one week at a time," Reid said. "It doesn't matter who we're playing. We look at them, we know that they're in the way of getting where we want to be, so we've got to take care of that team first and then move on to the next team after that."

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Contact Alex Cassara at acassara@lsureveille.com