Miles embraces big-game feel of LSU vs. Florida

Oct 5, 2009 - 11:31 PM By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer

BATON ROUGE, La.(AP) -- LSU coach Les Miles won't deny that he can feel a certain excitement on campus and around town.

The visit by No. 1 Florida to Tiger Stadium this Saturday night is anything but just another game.

"It's going to be a great week. This is why you come to LSU - to play in games like this," Miles said Monday. "Certainly, when No. 1 Florida comes to town, we'll prepare well, and it'll be a great game. I want Tiger Stadium to be as loud and as enjoyable and as noteworthy as any venue at any time."

Florida and LSU play in different divisions of the Southeastern Conference, technically making this game less important for the Tigers in the West Division standings than, say, Auburn's visit in a couple weeks. Miles doesn't quite see it that way.

"There is a game after this?" the Tigers' coach quipped.

Miles said games between the Tigers and Gators have evolved into something special in recent years because one or both teams tend to be in the national championship picture when they meet.

This time both teams come into Tiger Stadium undefeated, with Florida (4-0) ranked first and LSU (5-0) ranked fourth following the Tigers' dramatic 20-13 triumph at Georgia last weekend.

"It's generally two very talented teams and a team that will play a very significant role in determining the national champion," Miles said. "It's all about this Saturday, and we're looking forward to it."

While Miles seems to be doing his part to contribute to the hype, he said that is not what gets his players excited.

"The excitement of a big game will take place in our building and with our team irrespective of the outward view and those people who are watching," Miles said. "We are looking forward to competing against a very quality opponent. It's fun to prepare for big games, and this will have that. I'm certain that the media and the press will enjoy the matchups and the conversations and the opinions. That's the way it ought to be, but I think as a competitor you look forward to playing your best versus the best."

There are serious questions concerning whether the Tigers have in fact played their best yet. Their only easy victory was a 31-3 triumph over Louisiana-Lafayette, a team that has never beaten LSU.

The Tigers needed late scores to put away Washington and Vanderbilt in their first two games. They needed a late goal-line stand to survive at Mississippi State, and they needed a pair of late-fourth quarter touchdowns to pull out a victory at Georgia.

Still, Miles was impressed by his players' ability to perform in the clutch.

"I like the feel of the team," Miles said. "For the Georgia game, again, the team goes on the road, has poise, understands how to play in tight quarters and finds a way to win. That's our first victory there in Athens since 1987."

Miles also took some encouragement from the performance of running back Charles Scott and the offensive line. Scott scored both late touchdowns, the second on a tackle-breaking 33-yard run in the final minute.

"Our offense has confidence in Charles Scott," Miles said. "Our offense has confidence in the ability to run the football. We just needed to do it and put it together."

Miles added that he liked the fact that freshman receiver Rueben Randle, one of LSU's top recruits, "came of age on the road at Georgia."

Randle had only one catch for 15 yards through LSU's first four games, but coaches had confidence to put him on the field during the fourth quarter last Saturday. He hauled in a 16-yard, third-down pass thrown hard and slightly behind him to extend a late scoring drive. He then added a 12-yard catch to keep the momentum going LSU's way.

Miles assured that the 6-foot-3 Randle will "get more opportunities."