The LSU Tigers have a difficult match-up against the Wisconsin Badgers to open the season, and sophomore quarterback Anthony Jennings will be the man responsible to lead the Tigers onto the field.
”... Jennings will start at quarterback for the Tigers in their season opening game against Wisconsin here Saturday,” a source told The Times-Picayune‘s Jim Kleinpeter.
Jennings is in a competition with fellow sophomore Brandon Harris to earn the spot vacated by Zach Mettenberger. Last season, Jennings served as Mettenberger’s backup. Jennings played in nine games and started the Outback Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes. In limited playing time, Jennings was 13-of-29 passing for 181 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Due to his role last year, Jennings was projected as the favorite to win the starting position. However, he struggled mightily in the bowl game. LSU won the contest despite his play. And Harris was a highly-regarded four-star recruit.
While Jennings is on the verge of opening the season as the Tigers’ starting quarterback, this competition likely isn’t over. LSU head coach Les Miles has been very secretive of the play of his quarterbacks during fall practice. Jennings might have the slight edge due to experience, but a slight dip in his play may cause Miles to go in a different direction at quarterback.
Miles said earlier this month he would name a starter when “it’s appropriate or when it’s right or two quarterbacks aren’t going to play, we’ll name a starter.”
The head coach has yet to officially name Jennings the starter, which means Harris may even have a chance of playing at some point against the Badgers.