LSU (6-0, 3-0) ranks among the nation's top five teams in scoring defense (9.3), rushing defense (58.5), total defense (197.8), turnover margin (plus 12) and quarterback sacks (20). The Tigers have held opponents scoreless in 19 of the last 26 quarters and have only allowed a foe inside the 20-yard line eight times in six games.
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Brooks said LSU running back Jacob Hester is a "load" and calls quarterbacks Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux a "two-headed monster." He also says the offensive line is "very, very physical" and is a major reason LSU leads the SEC with 19 rushing touchdowns.
Flynn and Perrilloux have combined to complete 95 of 159 passes for 1,219 yards and 10 scores and Perrilloux has rushed for 166 yards and two scores. Hester has rushed for 433 yards, including a career-high 106 in last week's win over Florida.
Kentucky leads the SEC with 18 passing touchdowns, but the Wildcats didn't score against LSU's highly-touted defense last year in a 49-0 loss. Brooks makes it sound like it won't be any easier this time.
"Their defensive front is the best we have seen. (Glenn) Dorsey is a man among boys almost. Florida double teamed him most of the night. Dorsey is a force unlike almost anybody I have seen in a long, long time. He is a special player," Brooks said.
Dorsey has 30 tackles, including four quarterback sacks, this season.
Brooks says LSU's Kirston Pittman (33 tackles, three sacks) and Rahim Allen are the "best pair of ends" Kentucky will have faced.
"Trying to run the ball is extremely difficult and pass protection is also very difficult. It's our biggest test this year. But if you don't run the ball, then they start pinning their ears back and cause real problems," Brooks said.
Kentucky could be without its top runner, senior Rafael Little who is averaging 113 yards rushing per game. He's nursing a thigh injury. If that's not enough, one of his backups, Alfonso Smith, could miss his second straight game with an ankle injury.
Still, Miles insists Kentucky's offense is hard to contain. He calls UK quarterback Andre Woodson "a big-time player." Woodson leads the SEC with 1,536 passing yards and 18 touchdowns.
"They have a big playmaker at receiver with Keenan Burton. They also have a big and tall tight end (Jacob Tamme)," Miles said. "They have nice balance on offense. They are second in the conference with 470 yards a game. Scoring 42.7 points a game. They are ranked No. 17 and are a very dangerous team at home. They put 42 points on a very talented Arkansas defense."
Miles insists there's no chance LSU will take victory for granted because of its lofty ranking.
"We understand the task at hand is to focus on Kentucky. I don't think we will have a problem with that," Miles said. "I don't think there will be anybody in our building that will think we will be a overwhelming favorite. We are going to have to play well."
Brooks knows he doesn't have to bring up last year's 49-0 loss at LSU when the Cats managed only 214 total yards to motivate his team
"They will remember it," Brooks said. "But that does not mean it will be any special factor in this year's game. They are the only team in our league that has not lost a game. We are sitting here at 5-1 and there is only one other team, South Carolina, that is 5-1. Everybody else in our league has two losses.
"I am just hopeful we can get into the fourth quarter with an opportunity to win this game. I am hopeful that our home crowd will be a factor. That is one reason it is so tough to win on the road. I hope our fans rise to occasion and give us an advantage."
Miles expects a noisy Commonwealth Stadium. Still, he obviously has confidence in his team.
"We certainly think that certain things that we do will give them problems, but we still have to play well to win," Miles said.
