LSU football coach Les Miles is going through the “car wash” with a series of appearances on a variety of ESPN platforms that we’re monitoring throughout the day Tuesday.
On his afternoon SportsCenter appearance on ESPNews, Miles is asked if there is hate involved in the Alabama series …
“Not really. What we’ve tried to do at LSU is elevate our opponent and the need to play better than our opponent. If you treat the game that way it doesn’t have to become an emotional blood bath.”
Miles, as earlier, is asked about having the inscription “#2 NATIONALLY” on the side of LSU’s SEC championship rings …
“Let me tell you what they say first: they say SEC champion. The idea that we carried the No. 1 tag for 11 straight weeks and the best record in all of college football, we needed to put something on there that said the reality of that on the ring and said we didn’t get it all done. I don’t think anyone has to remind them any more fully than that montage that introduced us (of Alabama beating LSU in BCS title game).”
Another question for Miles about the “#2 NATIONALLY” on the championship rings, this time on an ESPN.com chat, and whose decision that was …
“I think it was really a number of people. I think we understand that it’s a season where a lot was accomplished and we fell short. I think the guys recognize what it all means.”
On Scott Van Pelt Show, Miles is asked if he ever fears losing a game because of some of the risky decision he’s made …
“No. I have fun with ‘The Hat’ and the grass eating, etc., but the reality is every high school coach worth his salt, every college coach, is trying to make decisions to give his team the best shot at victory.”
On whether LSU has a chance to be an even better team in 2012 than it had in 2011, especially with Zach Mettenberger at quarterback …
“I think it would be premature to say that we would be better than last year. We’re not picking up where last year left off. We have to put together a brand new team. If you come towork every day and look to improve segment by segment and game by game, they can achieve a lot.
“Mettenberger is that kind of guy. If he comes in and gets after it one game at a time and one week at a time and improves, I think he can be as good as we’ve had.”
On Gunner Kiel’s decision to go to Notre Dame instead of honoring his commitment to LSU …
“There are reasons for guys not wanting to accept that challenge. There are reasons for wanting to stay home and play in front of friends and family. To step into our stadium and play on our team takes a different breed of cat. I wish Gunner Kiel all the best – I mean that very honestly. I’m excited about the guys choosing to accept the challenge at Louisiana State, and I’m not worried about the other guys.”
Miles was asked about hanging out with Tom Cruise recently when the movie star was in Baton Rouge working on his upcoming sci-fi film “Oblivion” …
“I need to be the guy sitting next to the guy on the spaceship, eating popcorn, having fun. ‘Go left here. Let’s see that star.’”
Or, it was suggested, Miles could play a villain …
“I have the ability to flip the switch.”
Here are some comments by Miles on his morning appearances on “SportsCenter” and “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” …
On what he would like to see in a BCS playoff format …
“You’ve got to have the best teams in there, however that works. Rankings have to play a part. I’d hate to have the best team standing in the wings and everyone saying in a year, ‘They didn’t get the best teams in there.’ ”
On having played Alabama in the BCS championship game …
“We wanted to play the best. Frankly, we would have picked them and would look forward to playing them again.”
How has your team gotten over that loss?
“I think our team has done it very well. They understand we didn’t play our best. We had the finest record in college football and played an extra game. Our team took an edge to the field in the spring. I recognize that in the program still.”
Was there a message to your team?
“There was a straight message, an honesty. We don’t like finishing second. Certainly it’s something our team will respond to. I think we will look forward to taking the field again.”
On Zach Mettenberger …
“He can really throw it. We expect he would progress a little at a time. He doesn’t need to be the best quarterback in the country. He needs to develop leadership as he goes. I like how he’s done in the spring, but I don’t want to put the cart in front of the horse. He has a lot of work to do.”
On whether LSU will throw the ball more in 2012 …
“In nine games (last year) we didn’t need to throw it. We were up by two touchdowns. The fundamental piece is to always secure victory. That we did. We have the opportunity to move the football best with a veteran receiver corps. I think you’ll find we’ll throw it efficiently and more often.”
On the SEC championship rings that have caused an internet stir with the inscription “#2 NATIONALLY” on one side …
“It’s fundamental. You document the achievement of 13 victories, the finest record in college football. We won the (SEC) West, won the conference championship. You accomplished quite a lot.
“I think our team looks forward to being challenged. Even in the national championship year (in 2007) we had two losses. We’d like to go back and replay those as well. It’s an honesty. I think there’s a lot of teams that would love to have No. 2 on their rings.”
On the recent Twitter war of words between Tyrann Mathieu and Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron …
“I recognize you want to compete in everything you do. When someone challenges you verbally, you want to answer the challenge verbally. It will all be decided in play. It will all be earned. But there’s a lot going on before we play in November. Let’s start with the first game in September.”
On whether it would be tougher on coaches to add another layer of pressure with a BCS playoff …
“I don’t feel added pressure. Pressure will not come down on the players or coaches. It’ll be on the people making the decisions (of who is in the playoff). They’re going to catch it and catch it hard. They’ve just added another variable.”
Colin Cowherd asked Miles about the #2 on the side of LSU’s SEC championship rings …
“The front end says SEC champs. That’s the only reason for the ring. What also needed to be said is we finished second. We didn’t quite get it done.
“(Finishing) number two isn’t any fun.”
