Brandon Harris was viewed as the favorite to start at quarterback for the LSU Tigers' season opener against McNeese State this weekend, but head coach Les Miles made it official.
Miles missed his press luncheon scheduled for Monday afternoon for unspecified health reasons he said were related to drinking too much coffee. He was able to return to the podium later that day after the Tigers' practice.
Rumors swirling that Harris, a sophomore, was going to LSU's week one home game against McNeese State, Miles fielded a question begging confirmation.
"Absolutely. You bet it unless something happens in the back end of this week. Right now it seems like Brandon will start," Miles told the reporters. "I think he has continued to improve. Again, it's just a vision and observation."
LSU went back and forth between Harris and Anthony Jennings last season, though the former only started once, ESPN noted. Miles also addressed the possibility of playing both again, though he did not offer any extrapolation.
"I'm not going to go into how we look at that. We feel like both quarterbacks can play. Both quarterbacks have improved," he said. "They continue to compete. I wouldn't hesitate if needed to play either one, extended or to sub."
LSU went 4-4 in the SEC last season and finished fifth in the grueling West division behind Alabama, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Auburn. Whoever is playing quarterback, LSU figures to rely heavily on running back Leonard Fournette, who is getting some preseason Heisman recognition.
