Job prospects don’t keep Orgeron’s focus off Florida

Published 7:12 am Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Ed Orgeron seems as obsessed with avoiding any Arkansas letdown as he was last week with eradicating the pesky Alabama hangover.

LSU made quite a statement on the latter with a 38-10 pounding of the Razorbacks in Fayetteville Saturday night.

It opened up a lot of possibilities for the Tigers heading into the final two regular season games, most notably a clear path to the Sugar Bowl with two victories.

Orgeron didn’t want to hear about it at his Monday press luncheon.

He even borrowed a stoic play from New Patriots head coach Bill Belichik’s press conference playbook.

“Florida … noon … Saturday,” he said when the subject came up. “That’s all I can think about, man.”

And don’t even ask about how the final two games might affect him landing the LSU head coaching job full-time — even with linebacker Duke Riley saying that’s one of the big things he and his teammates are playing so hard for.

“That’s not what we’re here for,” Orgeron said. “That has nothing to do with beating Florida.”

However, he did add, with a chuckle, “I appreciate Duke.”

Otherwise, he’s determined not to let his or his team’s focus wander.

LSU (6-3, 4-2 SEC) hosts Florida at noon Sunday in a game that was originally scheduled for Oct. 25 in Gainesville.

The threat of Hurricane Matthew in Florida forced the postponement, with the change of venue a compromise to keep LSU from losing a home game.

The Tigers were scheduled to play South Alabama this week, but that game was cancelled.

“We’re going to focus on game six (actually game 10 for the Tigers, but six since Orgeron took over) of the Florida Gators. Obviously, Florida is a very well-coached football team. We know about their record. We know what they have on their line.”

Florida (7-2, 5-2) can clinch the championship title in the muddled SEC East.

“It’s not about them,” Orgeron said. “It’s going to be about us.”

Orgeron even closed practice completely to the media Monday, a rarity since he took over.

“Putting in secret plays,” Orgeron said with a smile. “We don’t want y’all all to know about them. We didn’t want that stuff out on the — whatever you call it — you know, all them little phone things (social media).”

LSU had several players hobble off during the Arkansas game, but Orgeron expects his team to be at full strength Saturday — including star tailback Leonard Fournette.

Fournette tweaked his nagging ankle injury early against the Razorbacks, sat out part of the second quarter, and then left the game for good late in the third quarter when an Arkansas defender rolled over his leg.

“Leonard is tough. I think the ankle is a little sore,” Orgeron said, indicating that Fournette would sit out Monday’s practice.

“If he needs a day off Tuesday, he gets a day off, but I do believe he’s going to be fine.”

Regardless, Orgeron said, Derrius Guice has earned more carries no matter how healthy Fournette is.

Guice shared SEC co-offensive player of the week honors (with Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts) after rushing for 256 yards. It was the second-highest total in LSU history — behind only Fournette’s 287 against Ole Miss earlier this season —and included a 96-yard run that was the longest play from scrimmage in school history.

Center Ethan Pocic also picked up an award when he was named the SEC offensive lineman of the week. He was flagged twice for holding, but also had 11 knockdown blocks while the Tigers were rushing for 390 yards.