Wisconsin vs. LSU preview: What are the Tigers saying?

In an effort to keep Wisconsin fans fully up-to-date, we're going to check in more frequently with upcoming opponents during game week. There probably won't be a more appropriate week for that than this one right now, so let's see what LSU is saying.

Les Miles: A whole lot of nothing

I don't mean that in a negative sort of way; more so, I'm just going off LSU people themselves following Miles' press conference Monday.

@B5Q Nothing worth mentioning from Miles. In fact, we know less than we did when he started because he announced the depth chart is wrong

— Pod Katt (@valleyshook) August 25, 2014

Miles did have some interesting things to say. It's just that, like Gary Andersen, he didn't come out and say something along the lines of, "Yes, those Internet reports you've heard about our quarterback situation are, in fact, true."

Nola.com rounded up Miles' press luncheon quotes from Monday. Yes, they call press conferences "luncheons" down south. I'm not really surprised. Among the most interesting: Miles was recruited by Wisconsin back in the day (he played at Michigan in 1974-75).

"(Former Steelers Hall of Famer) Mike Webster was on the Wisconsin depth chart when they recruited me. It's always difficult to play those guys."

Other notes from that Nola.com article:

• Miles said that if he "had to make a decision today," Ethan Pocic would be LSU's starting center. A 6'7, 301-pound sophomore, Pocic appeared in six games last year with one start.
• Defensive back Jalen Mills, who enters the season with more starts (26) than any other player on LSU's defense, could play Saturday. He faces a charge of simple battery stemming from a May incident, but Miles said "we are preparing him to play early and late." Not quite sure what that means, but our bud Pod Katt from SB Nation's LSU site, And The Valley Shook, believes we won't actually see Miles.
• Miles, like Andersen, knows who LSU's starting quarterback will be. He just won't say it.
• You can read the full transcript of Miles' press "luncheon" right here.

Here's video proof Miles actually said some of this stuff:

Lamar Louis: Melvin Gordon "not someone we haven't faced" before

Also in Nola.com, LSU linebacker Lamar Louis was respectful toward Melvin Gordon, but said Wisconsin's star running back isn't someone the Tigers haven't seen before.

"He's a good back, speedy back," said Louis, LSU's starter Sam (strong side) linebacker. "(He makes good cuts, good decisions. I think he's up for the Heisman Trophy.

"But I'm going to say what Chief said, tells us all the time, he's not someone we haven't faced in these past years. He's not someone we don't practice against (like) Terrence Magge, Leonard Fournette, Jeremy Hill.

"We'll be ready. We're not taking him lightly. He's a great back."

This season, Louis is moving to the strong-side linebacker spot from the middle in order to better utilize his speed. LSU's linebackers are pretty experienced; next to Louis is senior D.J. Welter in the middle and junior Kwon Alexander on the weak side. Both of their backups are also juniors. Between them, there's 201 tackles (11.5 for loss) in 65 games (29 starts). Last year, LSU finished 36th in the country in rushing defense, allowing 143.23 yards per game. Its 3.93 rushing yards allowed per carry ranked 45th.

LSU notes

• LSU's fullback, Conner Neighbors, is nicknamed "Bone Saw." That's pretty frightening, though it is based off this character from a Spiderman movie portrayed by Randy Savage.
• Nola.com goes back to LSU's Outback Bowl win over Iowa in talking about facing a Big Ten rushing attack. The Hawkeyes rushed 37 times but gained just 76 yards.
• The AP dives into LSU's quarterback battle. We could see four QBs take the field between the two teams Saturday.
• Leonard Fournette won't be the only freshman running back to to have an early impact in the SEC.