BATON ROUGE — LSU coach Nick Saban said he likes what he’s seen from his team this week on the practice field as the 24th-ranked Tigers continue to prepare for Saturday’s contest against 12th-ranked Florida.
Kickoff for the LSU-Florida game is set for 6:52 p.m. CT from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. ESPN will televise the contest to a national audience. The game can also be heard on the LSU Sports Network, Sirius Satellite Radio and on the Internet at www.LSUsports.net.
“We’ve had a good week of practice so far,” Saban said following Wednesday’s workout. “I’ve been encouraged by the way the players have responded this week as we’ve tried to continue to develop some confidence, continuity and chemistry on both sides of the ball.
“I’ve liked the spirit and the enthusiasm of the team. I think there’s been a little bit better attention to detail, which I think is important when it comes to execution. Hopefully, it will show on the field when we play on Saturday.”
Against Florida, the Tigers will face a squad that features the Southeastern Conference’s top rated passer in Chris Leaks as well as the league’s top running back in Ciatrick Fason. However, Saban sees Saturday’s contest as both a challenge and an opportunity for the Tigers.
“Florida’s obviously got a good team, and I think they are playing pretty well right now,” Saban said. “It’s a challenge for us and an opportunity for us, again, to go prove what kind of team we can be, and I think that’s the approach we’re trying to take with it.”
Saban said that cornerback Corey Webster continues to be sidelined with a knee injury and is listed as questionable for Saturday’s contest. Webster, who tied a school-record with three interceptions in LSU’s last trip to Florida, injured a knee in last week’s game against Georgia and has yet to practice this week.
The Tigers will practice again on Thursday followed by a walk-thru in Tiger Stadium on Friday afternoon. LSU departs for Gainesville at 2:45 p.m. on Friday.