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LSU looks to avoid trap vs. Middle Tennessee

Sep 15, 2007 - 11:49 AM Middle Tennessee (0-2) at No. 2 LSU (2-0) 8:00 pm EDT

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (Ticker) -- Les Miles may have a hard time convincing his Louisiana State squad to concentrate fully for this week's opponent.

Miles' second-ranked Tigers host Middle Tennessee on Saturday in what could be considered a trap game.

Last Saturday, LSU trounced then-No. 9 Virginia Tech here, 48-7, in the marquee matchup of the week. Next week, the Tigers open Southeastern Conference play vs. No. 17 South Carolina, which upset Georgia on the road last week.

In the highly anticipated matchup with the Hokies, Keiland Williams rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries to help the Tigers solidify their No. 2 ranking. LSU outgained Virginia Tech by a whopping 598-149 margin in the rout.

LSU will be the second consecutive ranked opponent for Middle Tennessee, which followed a season-opening 27-14 loss at Sun Belt Conference foe Florida Atlantic with a 58-42 setback at No. 9 Louisville last Thursday.

Phillip Tanner rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries and Joe Craddock threw for 290 yards and two TDs for the Blue Raiders, who trailed by just 38-35 at the break.

"We are going to have to prepare," Miles said. "You look at a team that can put points up like Middle Tennessee against a quality football team, one that has been a quality football team for a long time. We better be ready to play."

The Tigers, who have won 14 straight home games, posted a 30-14 victory over the Blue Raiders in 2001 in the series' only previous meeting.