MIDWEEK NOTEPAD: Harvin Could Be Out; Miles Comments on Jean-Francois

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Touching on the week’s hottest topics; also ESPN.com’s Chris Low gives his impressions on the SEC this week (audio feature)

by Matt Deville
Tiger Rag Senior Editor

(At left) Ricky Jean-Francois (Photo by Steve Franz/LSU)

CLICK HERE for comments from ESPN.com’s Chris Low. Low, who covers college football for ESPN.com, was a guest on the Tiger Rag Radio Show on Tuesday.

Hopefully, the hub-bub surrounding LSU defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois has ended.

Especially since there are new developments in the SEC this week.

LSU coach Les Miles addressed the media storm that ensued following what Jean-Francois indicated as misinterpreted comments made about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

“I have to be very honest with you,” Miles said Wednesday night. “I didn’t enjoy obviously that it was a quote that reflected this game in any way. I understand Ricky. I understand the question, how it was posed to him and how he answered it with enthusiasm. And to me, his view of our opponent’s quarterback is with respect and his admiration of his ability.”

Miles said he is never in favor of trying to intentionally hurt an opposing player, especially a quarterback. Because football is such a physical sport, an injury can befall your team in the same manner.

“The idea that he would hit him and hit him hard is an idea that every quarterback in this league, including our quarterback, will have to deal with come Saturday,” Miles said. “But injury is certainly the worst part of this football game. We want everybody to play and play well and play their best. We want to get to the quarterback, of course. We want to get to the quarterback every week. It doesn’t make a difference if it’s the Florida quarterback or the Auburn quarterback or whoever we play. We look at it that way.”

With that being said, hopefully the issue will rest.

Eye on Scott

One has to believe Charles Scott could burst straight into the Heisman Trophy race for sure with a big night in The Swamp.

Averaging 133 yards per game, Scott is the nation’s seventh leading rusher and is totaling 7.95 yards per carry. The Tigers are 35-2 under Les Miles when they rush for 100 yards as a team. Scott will be looking for his fifth consecutive 100-yard rushing performance of the season.

“This football team will be just where we need it to be when we win,” Miles said. “Charles Scott is a team player and he understands that there are no moral carries. There are only carries made for victory. If we get an opportunity to do that late in the game, we will think about it then. Our No. 1 goal is to come out on top.”

Florida is 20th in the nation against the run, surrendering 99.8 yards per game on the ground.

Statistically Speaking

Here’s something you probably didn’t know. Of the categories in which you’d think LSU would lead the SEC, these are two that probably weren’t your first guess.

The Tigers lead the league in total offense (427 yards per game) and net punting (37.8 yards). Considering the offense has had its issues via the pass and punter Brady Dalfrey was awful the first two weeks, that is really impressive.

The Tigers are also No. 2 in the conference in rushing offense (206 ypg) and rushing defense (69 ypg).

No Harvin?

The biggest development in the last 24 hours has been news that Florida’s all-everything playmaker Percy Harvin might not play against LSU on Saturday.

Harvin has been nursing an ankle injury and his preparation has been limited for LSU this week. He practiced for the first time this week on Wednesday.

“He was out there running around a little bit,” Meyer told the Orlando Sentinel. “We’ll know more Friday.”

Harvin leads the Gators in receiving yards and touchdowns (five). His absence will be critical in the LSU game with running back Emmanuel Moody already expected to miss the game with an ankle sprain.

Miles knows just how important Harvin’s absence can be in this game. No doubt the Tigers will prepare for Florida as if Harvin will be in the lineup.

“He brings a back in the backfield, and he’ll take an option pitch,” Miles said. “He’ll take a hand off and run a dive. He’ll provide any number of opportunities for a play fake and certainly receiving the ball. He’s certainly a big playmaker for them, if not the offensive choice for getting the ball in somebody’s hands. You only hope to slow that down. You don’t necessarily think you can stop that.”

Franklin Out at Auburn

Shocking news arose from the Plains of Auburn yesterday when coach Tommy Tuberville announced the firing of offensive coordinator Tony Franklin.

“After evaluating where we are at this point of the season offensively, I felt it was in the best interest of the Auburn football program to make this change,” Tuberville said. “I’m not satisfied with where we are, and I am personally going to take a larger role with the offense the remainder of the season.”

Franklin was in his first season at Auburn after replacing Al Borges as the Tigers offensive coordinator. Franklin implemented his version of the “spread” offense, but Auburn struggled mightily under the new system.

The Tigers (4-2, 2-2 SEC) are coming off a 14-13 loss to Vanderbilt last Saturday. After six games, Auburn ranks 104th in the nation in total offense (309 yards per game) and 103rd in both passing (160 ypg) and scoring (18 ppg) offense.