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LSU limps into SEC title game vs. Tennessee

Dec 1, 2007 - 11:30 AM No. 14 Tennessee (9-3) at No. 5 LSU (10-2) 4:00 pm EST

ATLANTA (Ticker) - Louisiana State already lost its chance to compete in the Bowl Championship Series title game. If the Tigers don't rebound quickly, they will miss out on the BCS entirely.

Fifth-ranked LSU looks to bounce back from a crippling loss when it takes on No. 14 Tennessee in Saturday's Southeastern Conference championship game.

LSU appeared destined to play in the BCS title game, needing only wins over unranked Arkansas and its opponent in this contest.

But despite owning the No. 1 ranking in the BCS standings and both polls, the Tigers suffered a stunning 50-48 triple-overtime upset at the hands of the Razorbacks last Friday in Baton Rouge.

The shocking loss dropped the Tigers (10-2, 6-2 SEC West) to seventh in the BCS standings and all but ended their hope of playing in the national championship game in the Louisiana Superdome on January 7.

But LSU still could book itself a ticket to New Orleans by reaching the Sugar Bowl with a victory Saturday over Tennessee (9-3, 6-2 SEC East).

The Tigers once again have had to deal with the distraction of coach Les Miles' future at the school.

In the week leading up to the loss against the Razorbacks, Miles, a former player and graduate at Michigan, was constantly questioned regarding widespread rumors linking him to the job opening in Ann Arbor.

After Miles neglected to offer insight into his future plans, his defense failed to show up against the Razorbacks, allowing 385 yards on the ground and 513 overall.

The Tigers clawed within 50-48 on Matt Flynn's 13-yard TD to Early Doucet in the third overtime. But Flynn's pass on the ensuing two-point attempt was intercepted by cornerback Matterral Richardson in the back of the end zone.

Conversely, Tennessee survived a wild finish in its last game - a 52-50 quadruple-overtime victory at Kentucky which clinched the SEC East Division title for the Volunteers.

Erik Ainge completed 28-of-45 passes for 397 yards and seven TDs, which squandered a 17-point second-half lead before outlasting the Wildcats by denying a potential game-tying two-point conversion in the fourth overtime.

Saturday's contest marks a rematch of the 2001 SEC title game, when LSU posted a 31-20 upset of then-No. 2 Tennessee.

The Volunteers lead the all-time series, 20-6-3.