Les Miles conducted his weekly media tour on Wednesday, starting with the SEC coaches teleconference in the morning, then meeting the media after evening practice and following that with his weekly radio show.

Here are some of the highlights from his media availability:

  • Miles joked during the teleconference that his team is using dry ice and fans to simulate the cold weather expected in Arkansas this weekend. “That hasn’t worked very well,” Miles said on the call. The coach said his players are ready to play in the cold and possible snow, and he’s glad for the cool weather in Baton Rouge this week. Miles added after practice that former standout defensive tackle Kyle Williams, now playing for the Buffalo Bills, gave the coaching staff some pointers on playing in the cold, while the equipment staff is working to get all of the Tigers’ gear outfitted for cold weather. “I think our team is looking forward to it. It’s going to be fun. I think our guys recognize the uniqueness of a real cold weather game,” the coach said.
  • Going up against Arkansas, another team that relies heavily on its running game (the Razorbacks run it on nearly 60 percent of their offensive plays), Miles speculated that both teams could hand it off upwards of 50 times.
  • Miles described Kenny Hilliard, who suffered a shoulder stinger against Alabama while running over Crimson Tide safety Landon Collins, as “day to day” and said he was unsure if Hilliard practiced on Wednesday, later adding that Hilliard did get some reps. On his radio show, Miles said he’s not sure the senior running back will be able to go on Saturday.
  • Kendell Beckwith, who strained his hamstring in the loss to Alabama, went through practice on Wednesday. Miles told the media after practice that Beckwith’s hamstring is sore and that he didn’t take all of the reps at middle linebacker.
  • After Anthony Jennings’ 8-for-26 passing game against Alabama, Miles naturally fielded some questions on the radio about freshman backup quarterback Brandon Harris. Miles said that, over the next few games, Harris will have an opportunity to “show his wares and play some more.” Harris hasn’t played any meaningful snaps since starting the Tigers’ 41-7 loss to Auburn. He’s got to play in garbage time in a blowout win over Kentucky.
  • After a rash of drops against Alabama, Miles said he doesn’t punish his receivers for dropping passes, as that makes them focus on not dropping the ball rather than catching it. He said that blame for the drops is shared by both the receivers and the quarterback. He called it a “public blame.”
  • Miles said that, in preparation for the cold, one coach went shirtless at practice. As it turns out, it was assistant athletic director Sam Nader, the longest-tenured member of LSU’s staff. LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette tweeted out this fantastic photo of Nader: