LSU QB Jefferson returns to practice

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- Jordan Jefferson is expected to practice throughout the week and No. 10 LSU is hopeful its starting quarterback will be able to play after missing the last game with a sprained right ankle.

Jefferson sat out last Saturday's 24-16 victory over Louisiana Tech, with Jarrett Lee filling in and completing 7 of 22 passes for 105 yards.

"Jefferson returns to practice today," Miles said Monday. "I think that being on the sideline for him is an uncomfortable position. I think that he hates missing a game, and he is looking forward to getting back. ... I kind of look forward to him getting back, too."

Also expected back at practice this week were tight end Richard Dickson (thigh) and center T-Bob Hebert (ankle). Both sat out against Louisiana Tech.

Miles said a New Year's Day bowl bid and top-five national ranking are among the goals he's outlined as LSU heads into its final two regular season games. After playing at Ole Miss this weekend, LSU returns home to play Arkansas.

The Tigers are trying to finish among the nation's top five teams for the third time in four years.

"The finish we all like is to be a team that's ranked in the top five or above and be an elite team in this conference. That's how we want to play," Miles said.

LSU hardly played the part of an elite team against Louisiana Tech, which threatened to beat the Tigers for the first time since 1904 after taking a 13-10 halftime lead. The performance drew some boos from the Tiger Stadium crowd.

Miles said his players lacked the proper mental approach during that game. He was particularly bothered about the defense's first-half performance.

"The defense played with a-somebody-else-is-going-to-make-a-play mentality in the first half," Miles said. "Then, the defense came to life. It was a tale of two halves for our defense. When they turned it on, they played like our defense is supposed to be."

The Bulldogs gained 93 of their 322 yards in the second half.

Louisiana Tech was effective with Daniel Porter running the ball out of the wildcat formation. The Tigers will see much more of that attack Saturday from Ole Miss' Dexter McCluster.

"The style of athlete Tech employed is not as talented as the ones from Ole Miss," Miles said. "But, we did gain a view of the style of running used by Ole Miss.

LSU and Ole Miss are competing for second place in the SEC West behind Florida and Alabama.

Coach Houston Nutt's Rebels dominated the Tigers in their 31-13 victory last season in Baton Rouge. In 2007, Nutt's Arkansas team upset then No. 1-ranked LSU 50-48 in triple overtime at Tiger Stadium.

"This Ole Miss team is very talented," Miles said. "They'll come to play. Their offense with Dexter McCluster, Jevan Snead and Brandon Bolden can run it and throw it.

"The combination of McCluster and Bolden brings power and speed. They are tough to touch. Snead can do everything you want a quarterback to do. Then, their defense plays a very physical brand of football."

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