Sam Leavitt should sit on Saturday.
There’s a risk and a reward for every decision. In this case, the risk of injury trumps the reward of additional reps for the new Tiger quarterback in Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr.’s offense.
Last week, Leavitt limped his way to more than 300 passing yards against Texas A&M. He’ll likely feel much better Saturday than he did a week ago. So, he could play. He just shouldn’t.
The game between LSU and McNeese isn’t about competition. It’s about compensation. McNeese will leave Baton Rouge on Saturday with a lopsided loss and a $750,000 payday whether Leavitt wears shoulder pads or a sweatsuit.
LSU has played an FCS school each of the last five years, and the combined score is 271-65. That’s an average of 54-13. It’s not a fair fight.
Leavitt’s playing style is rugged and tough. He puts his body on the line more than most quarterbacks. Sliding is not a strength, and when he gets a nose for the endzone, he lowers his shoulder pads.
Save that for Lexington. And Mississippi State. And Auburn. And November.
Leavitt is the most expensive player on college football’s most expensive roster. As hard as it is to tell an athlete to sit after months of rehabilitation and repetition preparing for 12 Saturdays, Kiffin should make that call this week.
Let Landen Clark run around on soggy Tiger Stadium turf. The risk of losing doesn’t exist, and the value in playing time for the backup is significant considering Leavitt’s playing style and injury history.
It’s reasonable to suggest this tender hamstring won’t be the last ailment Leavitt deals with this fall. Clark needs to be ready if and when his number is called, and three quarters of work Saturday will help.
Last week was unquestionably a step in the right direction for Leavitt. Despite the injury, he threw the ball more accurately than he has at any point in the first three weeks. That type of performance will be mandatory for LSU to reach its goals this season—competing for a conference championship, playoff berth and a national title.
Whether or not Leavitt takes a snap against McNeese is completely insignificant to all three. That’s the reality of these FCS contests.
NFL teams have essentially taken their starters completely out of preseason games. That’s the precedent here. I wouldn’t even pen this column if Kiffin hadn’t swung the door wide open on the idea Monday when asked about sitting starters.
As quickly as he introduced the idea, I felt it was best to make it a reality.
Kiffin has openly lamented the injuries on his team. Both No. 7s are down for extended periods. Three defenders are lost for the year. So are two special teams aces. LSU’s depth has absorbed the blows to this point, but a loss of the starting quarterback may be more impactful than LSU can handle.
Trying to predict when an injury will happen is foolish, but mitigating risk is not.
Leavitt can take his reps in a controlled practice environment this week and watch the game from the sidelines.
The legs Leavitt displayed against Clemson and Ole Miss combined with the arm he showcased against the Aggies is enough for LSU to achieve special things this season. Torching McNeese doesn’t aid that effort.
In a sport that is more reliant on money than ever, it’s time to take a look at that big picture as opposed to the Saturday scoreboard.
Call it a business decision.
