Up for debate: Since being reinstated to the team in the fifth week of the season, Jordan Jefferson has been more than effective in his backup role to starting quarterback Jarrett Lee—who has undoubtedly surpassed every expectation Tiger fans had for him heading into the season. With the biggest game of either player’s career coming up in just two days, “The question will be, who will make the final play when the game is on the line?” says Bleacher Report columnist Sean Merriman. “You have to believe that is going to be Mr. Jefferson.” Find out why he thinks so by reading the full column here. Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated columnist Stewart Mandel calls Lee the most efficient quarterback in the SEC in a column you can read here.
Buyer beware: There could be an abundance of phony tickets produced to take advantage of the rare regular-season meeting of top-ranked LSU and No. 2 Alabama on Saturday, reports The Birmingham News. Alabama issued a press release today warning fans in the market for secondhand tickets to beware of counterfeit tickets. Fans are encouraged to visit Alabama’s ticket office at Coleman Coliseum to verify the authenticity of their tickets. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Friday. For those who aren’t arriving on campus until Saturday, tickets can be verified at Bryant-Denny Stadium, gates 3 and 32, beginning at 3 p.m. Read the full story here.
Under pressure: While Drew Brees has been adjusting to new offensive linemen, he’s also dealt with increased pressure from pass rushers. Only halfway through this season, the Saints’ star quarterback has been sacked 19 times, more than he was sacked for the entire season in 2006, ’07 and ’08, and only one fewer than all of 2009. Help is coming as starting right tackle Zach Strief returns from a knee sprain that sidelined him for five games. However, Charles Brown, who started in Strief’s absence, is out for the season with a hip injury. The Saints also have had changes at center, after Olin Kreutz left the team and Brian de la Puente took over. Brees says he remains confident in his linemen and the Saints’ ability to fix the problem.
