Lee to get first look

• By RANDY ROSETTA
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Oct 7, 2008 - Page: 3C - UPDATED: 12:15 a.m.

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To nobody’s surprise, redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee will be LSU’s starting quarterback Saturday night when the No. 4-ranked Tigers take on No. 11 Florida.

Lee started LSU’s last game, a 34-24 triumph against Mississippi State. He also came on in relief at Auburn and spearheaded LSU’s come-from-behind 26-21 triumph with sophomore Andrew Hatch on the sideline with a concussion.

With an open week last week, Hatch had time to recover and will be available for the Gators (4-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference).

But he is now the backup after starting the first three games for the Tigers (4-0, 2-0).

“It really kind of depends on the feel of the game, but, yes, I think that Lee will get a first look and bring in Andrew on the second or third series, maybe later,” LSU coach Les Miles said, his roundabout way of identifying Lee as the starter.

Miles was more direct when asked about Lee’s emergence the last six quarters, when has connected on 29-of-44 passes for 443 yards and four touchdown passes. Lee ranks second in the SEC in pass efficiency (146.5) behind reigning Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow (148.0), the Gators QB and Lee’s counterpart this week.

“He’s had practices like he had games, and he’s had some really strong practices in the last week,” Miles said of Lee. “We expect that to continue. As we get into game plans, his ability to master the game plan is, in my opinion, a weekly event, and it’s one in which he’s doing a really good job.”

Not that Hatch is without a role.

If Miles and offensive coordinator Gary Crowton follow a similar plan as the first three games, Hatch will likely get a handful of series in each half against Florida.

“Obviously, you prepare to start, but if you’re not starting, you’re still going to be on the field,” Hatch said. “You’ve got to be prepared at any moment, knowing you are going to play.

“I’m not feeling any bad effects from the injury before. I feel fine. It’s just one of those things you have to give time to heal up well and I think we did that.”

Youth is served
Florida’s starting defense does not include a senior and only one junior lines up with the Gators’ first unit.

In fact, on the Florida two-deep defense, 14 of the 22 players are either freshmen or sophomores.