More than a few people in Les Miles’ situation, about to face the No. 1 team in the nation, would hedge toward hoping the most important player on that team would be “unavailable”.
That’s not how the LSU coach rolls, though.
The No. 4 Tigers will play Florida on Oct. 10 in a game rife with conference and BcS implications. And Miles wants a currently-concussed Tim Tebow healthy and on the field.
“We want him to play,” Miles said in a teleconference. “We think he’s great for college football, and I know coach [Urban] Meyer will do exactly what’s right without question.”
If Tebow does indeed play -- there’s still no official word yet on his status, although all the signs seem to indicate he’s progressing well from the concussion -- could Miles & Company be facing a kinder and gentler Tebow?
During Meyer’s teleconference yesterday, the Gator coach indicated that the team will be more aware of Tebow’s battering-ram approach to the game. Whether that awareness will result in the quarterback curtailing his “meetings” with players on the other side of the ball is uncertain, but it’s something Meyer and his staff will pay close attention to.
“That’s day-to-day, that’s week-to-week,” Meyer said. “We always discuss that because he’s not a typical quarterback.
“We’re very well aware of the pounding he takes. We’re going to be conscience of it for the right reasons.”