After a lot of talk about a two-quarterback system in Baton Rouge this season, we haven’t seen anything of the like from the Tigers. Right now, they definitely do not have two QBs ready for big-time football. Do they even have one?

Before the season, no one know who would end up taking the majority of LSU’s reps under center. Anthony Jennings won out in preseason, but Les Miles made it sound as if he’d still be splitting time with freshman Brandon Harris, with a good likelihood of a tag team at the position. That’s not how things have played out, though. Jennings has throw 52 of LSU’s 59 pass attempts this season, and he’s completely dominated what was shaping up to be a timeshare.

The playing time split might be more an indication of Harris not being ready than Jennings being the man. Jennings certainly hasn’t blown anyone out of the water with his performance as of yet. The best thing the sophomore starter has going for him right now is his connection with Travin Dural, who he’s completed four of his five touchdown throws to. If you remove those four long scores — obviously a very hypothetical exercise — Jennings’ numbers take a sharp dip, to 48 percent completion rate and about 115 yards per game. Nearly 40 percent of Jennings’ passing yards on the season have come on those four touchdown throws.

Jennings will have a chance to prove what he can do against Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are nasty against the run, but very susceptible to deep passes. They’re worst in the SEC at giving up explosive plays through the air, and one of the best at preventing them via the run. With that run defense, MSU should be free to double team Dural. If the big play machine can get open, Jennings needs to find him to help the Tigers move the ball.

If it’s Mississippi State’s gameplan to remove Dural as an option, that’s where Jennings can show that he deserves to be the man to pilot this team. Last week, he missed a few open guys and opted to take off instead. This week, if Trey Quinn or John Diarse comes open across the middle, Jennings is going to have to find them. Otherwise, LSU’s offense is going to be stuck in neutral like it was in the first half against Louisiana-Monroe.

What if Jennings continues to struggle? Miles has more or less refused to delve into that, saying publicly that he and Cam Cameron don’t want to think that way. They didn’t pull Jennings when he had a rough go in the first half against ULM, so there’s no reason to think they would do it against MSU.

They should absolutely be thinking about it, though. Harris, while clearly very raw as a signal caller, has shown promise on his limited pass attempts. When he gets rolling out of the pocket, he’s delivered some passes with gusto, and he’s an even more dangerous runner that Jennings.

The quarterback battle seems all but dead for now. If things don’t go as planned against the Bulldogs, it’ll be high time for Miles and Cameron to revive it.