The LSU Tigers continued their winning ways by defeating the Tennessee Volunteers (38-7) and Sunday night Tiger Nation got the official news that LSU had landed in the top spot in the first BCS Standings.
LSU edged out Alabama and Oklahoma for No. 1.
But the Tigers took care of business Saturday afternoon in Knoxville by thumping the Volunteers in an effort that netted the Tigers with the most rushing yards of the season with a total of 260.
Spencer Ware paced the Tiger rushing attack with 80 yards on 23 carries and one touchdown.
Senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson from Destrehan High School saw his most extensive playing time during the 2011 season and rushed for 73 yards on 14 carries and scored one touchdown.
Jefferson also completed 1 of his 3 throws for 8 yards.
Starting quarterback Jarrett Lee again had an impressive outing against the Volunteers and he completed 10 of his 14 passes for 115 yards and two scores.
Former Hahnville High School running back Alfred Blue rushed for 17 yards on 4 carries in the victory.
LSU head coach Les Miles said the game was not perfect, but he liked the overall effort in the contest.
“I don’t know if this was our best game or not, but we did the things we needed to do to secure the victory,” Miles said. “Our running game today was very effective and I was proud of the way our offensive line played despite fighting off some injuries.”
Miles says there is no quarterback controversy at LSU despite Jefferson seeing the most playing time of the season.
“Jarrett (Lee) is our starter, but I like using both quarterbacks. It’s what we do best and what we need to do,” he said. “Both young men can do different things out on the field. We like to give those different looks to teams and we will continue to play both.”
LSU’s defense again was a dominant part of the victory of Tennessee.
The Tigers held the Volunteers to 239 yards of total offense and the Volunteers failed to gain any traction in the passing game.
LSU also picked off two of Matt Simms’ passes, one by cornerback Morris Claiborne and the other by safety Eric Reid.
The victory was extra sweet for former Tennessee defensive coordinator and current LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis.
After the game Chavis, not an emotional man, was brought to tears by the results of LSU’s defense.
“I guess I am just an old softie, but this was very emotional for me after being here 20 years as an assistant,” Chavis said. “Tennessee is a great program. This football game was never about me. It’s about those young men out on the field, but I feel awfully proud of what those guys in purple and gold did. This defense is the best I have ever been associated with.”
This Saturday the Tigers face the Auburn Tigers and this time there will be no Cam Newton and Nick Fairly in the lineup for Auburn.
It’s fantastic news for Tiger fans to see LSU No. 1 in the BCS today, but when you really want to see them in this spot is mid-January.
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