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Monday Press Conference 2014 - Week 15

Les Miles has his final Monday Press Conference following a bye week and a rough shutout to Arkansas.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports







Coach Miles opened his press conference by talking about Odell's catch and wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. He called OBJ's catch "spectacular," but mentioned that he and Jarvis Landry would pull off catches like that in practice on a regular basis.

Les Miles said his team is really looking forward to Texas A&M on Thursday and that he knows how much it would mean to this team for them to keep the 8-game-victory streak alive for a 15th season.

Miles then went on to talk about the offensive line for the game on Thanksgivng Day. He believes that Vadal Alexander will play, but with Elliot Porter's injury, Pocic will be starting at center and Evan Washington will take Pocic's vacant spot at right guard. That makes Hoko Fanaika the "next man up" if someone were to go down.

He then went on to talk about just how much his quarterbacks have been improving (like every other week) and that he "likes his quarterbacks."

The defense is continuing to play "at a very high level" and are fourth in the SEC in pass defense, total defense and scoring defense. They will need to continue their run of form against a talented A&M offense.

Miles thinks A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin is doing a great job "making them better." He mentioned how explosive their offense is and the fact that they average 36 points per game and 469 total yards. Miles also considers freshman quarterback Kyle Allen a "very quality throwing passer."

He knows that A&M has been struggling this season on defense, but he called A&M defensive end Myles Garrett the "best freshman in the nation."

Coach Miles is excited for the challenge of playing at Kyle Field on Thanksgiving and his team will be ready.

Final Notes

The team only practiced twice during the open week and got the weekend off, but Sunday's practice was a Tuesday-style practice. Jamie Keehn will be a captain for the A&M game.

When asked about the Michigan head coaching job, Miles said he has given "little or no thought to any other jobs."

Miles considers A&M as a rivalry game and was told that when he came to school here. He also is not sure how many players he will have leave early to go to the draft this year.

He also received a letter from the Secretary of Louisiana Department of Veteran Affairs about getting Luke Boyd some snaps. But Miles said it would be "very difficult" to have him take a travel spot so late in the season.

Coach Miles gave no comment when asked if Brandon Harris will see the field on Thursday.

For the full transcript, click here (via nola.com).