Tennessee’s Tyler Bray out for LSU game: A fan’s reaction

For the second straight week, our LSU Tigers will face an SEC East opponent that will not have their starting quarterback at their disposal.

LSU defeated the Florida Gators without John Brantley easily last week 41-11. The Gators had to start third quarterback Jacoby Brissett as backup Jeff Driskel was also hurt. On Oct. 15 against our Tigers, Tennessee will not have Tyler Bray under center. Matt Simms will start in his place.

In last week's 20-12 loss to Georgia, Tyler Bray was injured late in the fourth quarter. Former starter Matt Simms finished the drive Bray was hurt on with a touchdown. An onside kick attempt failed, and by the time Tennessee got the ball back, it would have needed a miracle to get to the end zone and have an opportunity to go for two points. Instead, Simms threw an incomplete pass and was sacked, which ended the game at the Tennessee 19-yard line.

After the game, it was announced that Bray had broken the thumb on his throwing hand and would miss the next six weeks. Bray was having a fine season for the 3-2 Volunteers. He was among the nation's leaders in passing efficiency and had thrown for 14 touchdowns and only two interceptions. Last season, Bray was a freshman backing up upperclassman Matt Simms. Simms struggled through his first eight starts in 2010. With the game looking to be lost against South Carolina, head coach Derek Dooley turned to Bray, who rallied Tennessee to a tie before it eventually lost the game. Bray started the final four regular season games and led Tennessee to the Music City Bowl.

In Simms' college career, he has thrown eight touchdowns and six interceptions. In last year's loss to LSU, Simms barely completed 50 percent of his passes but had a short rushing touchdown. Simms has played very sparingly this season and has to face our brutal defense for his first start this season.

To say I like our chances on the road against the Volunteers would be an understatement. Unlike last season, this game should be a laugher for the right reason: a big LSU win.

As an LSU fan, I would like the Tigers to play against teams at full strength so our team get too confident ahead of the Alabama game. However, after last season's wacky ending against Tennessee, I don't mind Tennessee being shorthanded.

More from Patrick Johnston:

LSU blows out Florida

LSU overwhelms Kentucky

Jordan Jefferson wants to start for LSU

Source:

Stats from UT Sports.com and NCAA.org

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