Orgeron: “We have to move on”
We would love to have you as a premium member of TigerBait. Subscribe now and enjoy all of the benefits of a subscription. Click here to join
Much of the conversation for the past 72 hours has concentrated on the targeting call which will put LSU linebacker Devin White on the sidelines for the first half of next week’s showdown with Alabama.
Undoubtedly, the penalty against White was questionable. One could see reasons for the targeting call and one could see reasons for there to be no targeting call.
But, the fact of the matter is nothing will be changed by the Southeastern Conference office. White will not play in the first two quarters against the Crimson Tide.
“It was a very unfair call,” said Orgeron prior to his speaking engagement at the New Orleans Quarterback Club on Tuesday afternoon. “Targeting shouldn’t have been called. Devin tried to pull off. He did not try to hit (Nick Fitzgerald) with his head. I didn’t see any vicious contact.
“I can’t tell if Devin’s helmet touched (Fitzgerald’s) face mask. I know his head didn’t pop back. We did all we could do. (LSU Director of Athletics) Joe Alleva was on the phone with (SEC Commissioner) Greg Sankey right after the game. The call is going to stand and it’s done. We have to move on.”
Next up on the schedule is No. 1-ranked Alabama. The Tigers have lost seven consecutive games to the Crimson Tide beginning with the 2011 national championship game. The winner of next Saturday’s game will be in the driver’s seat for the SEC West title.
Alabama has not been involved in any close games this season. This Crimson Tide team is not built around its defense. This Nick Saban-coached team revolves around quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
“Tua is a run-pass option guy,” Orgeron said. “He is quick with the ball and quick with the release. He throws deep. Tua takes what the defense gives him. He is the best player in the country.”
Orgeron will basically work his starters just one day this week – Wednesday. Tuesday’s practice was a short one. On Thursday, the backups will take part in a scrimmage. Orgeron reflected on the first eight games of the season which have ended in seven LSU victories.
“I am proud of our team,” Orgeron said. “I didn’t know what was going to happen this year. I thought we were a lot better than what other people thought. We just had to take it one game at a time.”
Once again, Orgeron credited his staff for the success the team has enjoyed during the first two months of the season.
“We have a better staff, a cohesive staff this year,” Orgeron said. “The analysts have really made a difference. I couldn’t imagine getting a better staff around us. The analysts help in making the game plans. We are just very strong as a staff.”
According to Orgeron, defensive end Breiden Fehoko should be available for the Alabama game. Fehoko, who has an injured elbow, could have played in an emergency situation against Mississippi State. Guard Garrett Brumfield’s situation is not as positive.
“Garrett was 60 percent last week,” Orgeron said. “We have to see how much that goes up this week. I would say Garrett is questionable right now. It is doubtful that he would play against Alabama.”
Orgeron has no intention of building up the game against Alabama as one for a championship.
“I don’t do that,” said Orgeron, referring to making the contest like a playoff game. “It’s next man up and it’s Alabama. The Georgia win gives us a lot of confidence. Georgia is similar to Alabama. They run the same type of offense with a different quarterback. They have the same type of defense.
“We play with toughness and grit. We are going out to win the game no matter what it takes. We have belief in Joe Burrow. We have belief in Cole Tracy. We have belief in our defense. Let’s go out and play our best game.”
LSU Tigers Colosseum Team Logo Quarter-Zip Pullover Jacket – Charcoal
from: Fanatics