Tuesdays with Ed: Florida

Ed Orgeron had his weekly meeting with reporters via Zoom ahead of Saturday’s home game against Florida. Normally all anyone would want to talk about is the game itself but Orgeron was asked about the outside noise and the temperature of his seat.

“That’s for me to handle. Nobody’s told me about my job status. I’m fine,” Orgeron said. “I haven’t had any discussion about it. As far as I know, I’m the head coach of the LSU Tigers. That’s all that matters.”

“I can go in and read everything you guys write, I could take about an hour and read that stuff and tell them about it. I don’t listen to all that stuff,” Orgeron went on to say. “The best thing for me to do is be very positive, understand the expectation at LSU. I will say this and say it again, no one has to tell me about the LSU expectation. I understand this is not the LSU standard of performance, I get it totally. I know exactly where I’m at and I’m going to work as hard as I can today and won’t blink.”

Orgeron went on to address the health of his team, confirming that Kayshon Boutte would be out for the season with an ankle injury. He said that LSU’s deep, young receiving corps as a whole will have to elevate their game now in Boutte’s place.

“It’s not about No. 1 role, it’s about somebody coming up and making some plays. I think you saw Malik Nabers do a lot of good things there. Looking for him to step up. Devonta Lee to step up in a bigger role. Jontre Kirklin to step up in a bigger role, Jaray Jenkins. I think all those guys just have to step up. Not just one guy, everybody has to step up.”

Orgeron was also asked about redshirt senior quarterback Myles Brennan and his “gut feeling” is that Brennan won’t be back by LSU’s bye week (October 30).

“I don’t know with Myles. I don’t know if Myles is going to be back, I really don’t know if we’re going to get him back at the open date like we thought we would. I’m kind of unsure of that so we have to play that by ear as he gets better, but I don’t think he’s going to be back open date. That’s my gut feeling.”

As for this week’s opponent, Orgeron had this to say about the Florida Gators.

“Florida, Emory Jones is an outstanding quarterback. They’re third in the country in rushing offense. Known Dan for a long time. He’s one of the best play callers I’ve been around. They’ve got some talent, they’ve got a good offensive line, good stable of running backs. Lot of speed at wide receiver. On defense, we all know about their defense. They’re attacking defense. 16 points per game, led by Zachary Carter with six sacks.”

Orgeron was also asked if he felt the vibes surrounding the program and what a win over Florida, like last season, could do for the Tigers in 2021.

“Yes it could (change everything). It could. Playing Florida, we just lost two big games in a row. Playing Florida is obviously a rivalry game for LSU. We’re playing at home. They’re a very good football team and it’s going to be a tremendous challenge, but yes, I think that can put a little feel good back in the program.”