Michigan’s not the only big-time FBS football program with a quarterback quandry heading into Week 5.
Anthony Jennings struggled in LSU’s home loss to Mississippi State last Saturday. In the same game, Brandon Harris (pictured) nearly came riding to the rescue atop a white horse before being tripped up -- and picked off -- on a last-second Hail Mary that would’ve completed an improbable comeback.
That confluence of events led to somewhat of a quarterback controversy throughout the early part of the week as the calls for Harris to replace Jennings began to grow louder. Les Miles, though, is not hearing it ahead of the New Mexico State game this weekend.
Probably.
“I think Anthony Jennings will take the first snap,” Miles said. “Right now it looks pretty forthcoming, but, again, it could change.”
With qualifiers “I think” and “it could change,” it appears as if Miles’ decision is written in erasable marker. Especially after Miles allowed that Harris had closed the gap and has been “getting a lot of snaps” with the first-team offense in practice this week.
In the loss to the Bulldogs, Jennings completed 13-of-26 passes for 159 and no touchdowns but no interceptions either. With less than four minutes remaining and trailing 34-16, Miles inserted Harris into the game and the true freshman responded in resounding fashion. The four-star early enrollee completed six of his nine passes for 140 yards and a pair of touchdowns; a heave with no time left on the clock was Harris’ only pockmark in what turned out to be a 34-29 loss.
Through four games, Jennings is 42nd nationally and ninth among SEC quarterbacks in passing efficiency. After throwing five touchdown passes the first two weeks of the season, Jennings has thrown none the last two.
If Miles were looking to make a switch, this might be the week to get Harris’ starting feet wet. After Saturday’s game against the 2-2 Aggies, the Tigers will face both No. 5 Auburn and unranked Florida on the road.