LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson is prepared to coach this weekend's game against Alabama like he has nothing to lose. That's because he doesn't. Neither do the Tigers he will lead onto Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Wilson has little-to-no chance of earning the permanent gig as the LSU head coach moving forward. That makes him dangerous. It means Kalen DeBoer and the entire Alabama staff will have to prepare the team for every possible variable.
That might include a stunning change at QB.
On Wednesday's SEC Coaches Teleconference, Wilson hinted at the possibility that Mississippi State transfer Michael Van Buren could see some playing time this weekend against Alabama.
Wilson confirmed that Garrett Nussmeier is the team's starter, but that Van Buren has taken more snaps in practice than he usually does.
"We do think that Michael brings some special things to the table that makes a defense have to defend him," Wilson said.
With LSU's struggles on the offensive line, particularly at left tackle, utilizing Van Buren's dual-threat ability may be a necessity. Nussmeier was sacked five times two weeks ago by Texas A&M, and you can bet that Kane Wommack's defensive gameplan will look to take advantage of that perceived weakness on the left side.
Van Buren would make that weakness much less exploitable.
USA Today makes unsettling comparison of Van Buren to Crimson Tide killer
Van Buren is the exact type of QB that has plagued the Crimson Tide for years and through eras. Dual-threat QBs were the kryptonite for Nick Saban defenses. They've been the same, at times, for DeBoer and Wommack.
You don't have to look much further than the season opener against Florida State and what Tommy Castellanos was able to do. He gave the Tide's defense fits, and that's exactly the comparison USA Today's Matt Hayes made in his latest article.
"Here’s the best way to describe Van Buren Jr.: Thomas Castellanos, with the ability to throw accurately.," Hayes writes.
Alabama has been hit-or-miss against dual-threat QBs. While Castellanos certainly gave them fits in the opener, the Tide's defense picked it up against the likes of Diego Pavia of Vanderbilt and LaNorris Sellers of South Carolina.
Van Buren is an experienced backup. He started eight games for Mississippi State last season before transferring to LSU and willingly sitting behind Nussmeier this season. He's got the potential to be a real thorn in Alabama's side.
And even if Wilson's comments about Van Buren are just blowing smoke, it gives DeBoer and Wommack something extra to think about for this weekend's game.
LSU has nothing to lose. Alabama has everything on the line in November. That alone makes this game a gut-check moment for the Crimson Tide.