TUSCALOOSA — Jordan Jefferson isn’t the flashiest quarterback Alabama’s defense has faced this season. But LSU’s sophomore leads a balanced attack that is coming off its two best games of the year.

Jefferson set a high bar for himself when he led the Tigers’ 38-3 Chick-fil-A Bowl rout over Georgia Tech in his second start as a freshman. The attack has been spotty at times this season. Tiger fans were nervous after a shaky 20-13 win at Georgia and upset after a 13-3 loss at home to top-ranked Florida.

But after an open date, Jefferson and the offense improved. Two weeks ago against Auburn, Jefferson threw for career highs in attempts (31), completions (21) and yards (242). He led LSU’s 42-0 victory over Tulane last week.

“He gets the ball to the playmakers,” LSU coach Les Miles said about Jefferson’s role, “… without error, without mistake and facilitates our offense. He’s getting better at it every week, and we enjoy what he’s brought to the table thus far this year.”

Alabama coach Nick Saban agreed, adding Jefferson’s consistency has improved as he gets more experience.

“He’s done a really good job, doesn’t turn the ball over, doesn’t throw a lot of interceptions, has a strong arm, been very accurate, very athletic, makes plays with his feet at times … does a really good job of executing what they ask him to do,” Saban said.

Crimson Tide cornerback Javier Arenas called Jefferson “a good quarterback, a great quarterback who buys himself time and great offensive linemen who help him out. … They are all over the place with talent.”

Arenas said LSU’s balance is the biggest challenge for the defense. Jefferson has experienced receivers in senior Brandon LaFell and junior Terrance Toliver, senior tight end Richard Dickson, and senior tailback Charles Scott. They also have backup running back and return specialist Trindon Holliday, the reigning NCAA 100-meter sprint champion.

And recently, they’ve unleashed true freshman Russell Shepard, who could line up anywhere. He has run the Tigers’ wildcat formation. In another look, Shepard took a handoff from Jefferson and sprinted 69 yards for a touchdown against Auburn. Shepard also scored on a 19-yard run last week against Tulane.
Clearly, he is more comfortable with a bigger role.

“I think you have to get him on the field,” Miles said of his freshman playmaker. “You have to call plays. You have to let him have reps. You have to toss him one that doesn’t get him any (yards). You have to let him get smashed. You got to get him in a hole that he can run through, and I just think it’s a comfort that’s coming to him, knowing that his number is going to be called, and he’s going to be in the game.”

Miles said Shepard, who didn’t play against Florida due to illness, will be a factor Saturday night. But he wants him to play his game.

“No, you tell him the same things,” the coach said. “You run to the open area. You throw it to the guy who is open, and you catch it when thrown to. His experience is becoming more. His ability to be on the field in different spots is greater, and hopefully, we’ll be able to call his number more often.”

But Jefferson is still the center of the LSU offense, Miles added.

“He has to do the things that we’ve asked him to do,” he said. “He’s got to make quality decisions with the ball. He has to make the checks and get the ball to the receivers, tight ends and running backs as directed, and he just has to play within the scheme of the offense. If he does that, he’ll do fine. He’s a very talented man.”

And he’s getting better.

“He definitely has improved,” Alabama linebacker Cory Reamer said. “… He’s taken leadership of their team and done a lot of smart things over the last few weeks and played great ball for them. The one loss they had he played well for them and kept them in it pretty close.

“They do a lot of things to give him the ball to make decisions. That shows a lot of trust in him for being such a young guy.”