Players at fault, not LSU coaches

"I think it is unfair," Davis said Tuesday after practice, addressing growing skepticism among the more vocal critics in LSU's fan base.

The No. 13-ranked Tigers (62, 2-2 SEC) are 0-2 against ranked teams. They will play No. 8-ranked Tennessee (7-1, 3-1) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Neyland Stadium.

Davis said Miles isn't to blame when the Tigers don't execute, as was the case in a 2310 loss at Florida.

"The coaching staff and coach Miles, they put us in a great position to win," Davis said. "We go out there. We play. It's not him."

Russell led LSU to four comeback victories in the fourth quarter or overtime last season, but the two losses this season -- on the road against teams in the hunt for the SEC championship -- have pushed that success to the backburner. Davis said it's unfair.

"In JaMarcus' case, we're a team; you can't just put it on one person," he said.

Another senior receiver, Dwayne Bowe, said the players support Russell.

"Whenever he steps onto the field, the whole team has confidence he's going to go out there and do his best, win or lose," Bowe said.

Bowe said players don't worry about critics outside the program.

"Once we all get together as a team on the field," he said, "we're all playing for each other. We're not worried about what's going on outside of the team. We're just going to go out there and try to show Louisiana we can go out there on the road and beat every team we play."

Eye Of The Tiger: Bowe, who struggled with dropped passes as a sophomore and junior, is having his best season at LSU and is tied for the school record for career touchdown receptions (21).

A reporter wondering if offseason LASIK surgery helped Bowe had his question answered with a question.

"You tell me," Bowe said, laughing.

The Miami native said he's sure the eye surgery helped him perform better.

"I'm catching the ball peripherally right now, so that's a difference for me," he said.

Bowe said he had problems in both eyes and had 20/400 vision at his worst. He said he's 20/15 in both eyes.

"All the passes they throw to me right now, I'm going to get them," he said. "No matter where it's at -- low, high, out of bounds -- I'm going to get it."

Night Vision: Davis, LSU's new punt returner, said he discovered there's a difference between fielding punts in daylight and at night.

"In pregame, it's usually twilight or the sky's blue," Davis said. "When we come out for the game, the sky's black when you look up. The only thing that really helps you to see that ball is the white line on the ball.

"There's a lot of difference between pregame and the actual game."

Davis shrugged off a question about LASIK surgery, saying he didn't need it, but he admitted his natural vision isn't the best.

"I have bad vision," Davis said. "That's why I wear contacts."

Davis returned a punt 77 yards for a touchdown in a 38-6 victory Oct. 21 over Fresno State, his second game as a punt returner.

Practice Report: LSU had a fullpads practice Tuesday, finishing the installation of its game plan. Because of the open date last Saturday, the Tigers had a limited "Tuesday" practice Monday to begin putting in their plans for the Vols.

Bowe, who said he was tired and ready for a full night's sleep after practice, said the tempo picked up on the practice fields.

"Later in the week, practice gets more intense, the coaches get more intense, and that's when they want us at our best," Bowe said. "I understand where they're coming from."

Center Brett Helms was the only player besides the quarterbacks who practiced in a green jersey, which designate players for limited or no contact.