Reports: Anthony Jennings will start for LSU, Blake Sims for Alabama

When LSU opens its season against Wisconsin Saturday, sophomore Anthony Jennings will reportedly be under center.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune is reporting that Jennings edged out true freshman Brandon Harris to earn the start “after putting in a strong week of practice,” but Tigers head coach Les Miles indicated earlier this week that both Jennings and Harris will play in the neutral site contest at Houston’s NRG Stadium.

Jennings made his first career start in LSU’s Outback Bowl win against Iowa last season. He saw action in nine games overall, including when he came off the bench to lead the Tigers to a win over Arkansas when Zach Mettenberger went down with a knee injury late in the ball game.

Harris was a four-star recruit in the 2014 class who enrolled early for the Tigers and impressed with his play in spring practice. A native of Bossier City, La., Harris was rated as the fifth-best dual-threat quarterback in the country and the No. 99 overall prospect nationally.

Jennings and Harris will be without one of the team’s top targets, five-star freshman receiver Malachi Dupre, in the opener. According to TigerBait.com, Dupre “has been hampered by a hamstring pull” that occurred early on in preseason camp.

Additionally, TigerBait.com is reporting that sophomore cornerback Rashard Robinson did not make the trip to Houston for undisclosed reasons. Robinson played in 12 games last season, starting two.

Elsewhere in the SEC, CBSSports.com is reporting that senior Blake Sims will start at quarterback for Alabama in the Tide’s season opener against West Virginia. Sims was competing with Florida State transfer Jacob Coker for the starting role.

Sims will get the nod, though Coker is expected to play when the Tide kicks off against the Mountaineers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Coker, who lost Florida State's starting competition to Jameis Winston last season, was considered the favorite to win the job.

For more LSU news, visit TigerBait.com.

For more Alabama news, visit TideSports.com.

- - - - - - -

Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @SamDCooper

from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1prxwhx